Agate Cameo

A cameo is a carving in relief usually on a background of contrasting color. Any stone or shell can be used. Agate, sardonyx and certain types of shell are especially suited for cameos because of their distinct bands of color. This Brazilian agate cameo dish is the work of contemporary artist Richard Hahn, of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. The plate depicts the god Zeus and goddess Themis with their three daughters, known in Greek mythology as the Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. The Museum has a large collection of agate cameo plates and bowls and small pendant sized cameos of stone and shell.