A cameo is a carving in relief usually on a background of contrasting color.  Agate, sardonyx and certain types of shell are especially suited for cameos because of their distinct bands of color. The Museum has a large collection of agate cameos carved in Idar-Oberstein, Germany in the 20^th century. The large plates & bowls are carved from Brazilian agate and depict scenes from Greek mythology.

Cameo brooches of shell, agate and other stones range in age from the 19^th to 20^th centuries. Some depict famous portraits and religious figures. The shell cameos were carved in Torre del Greco, Italy.