The superb jasper carving of the head of Medusa by Benedetto Pistrucci, shown above. This really is breathtaking when viewed in close up and is almost 3 inches in size. This was my personal favorite of all of the magnificent cameos that I saw at the Cameo Appearances exhibition at the Met.

The Renaissance lapis lazuli cameo carving with a portrait of Cosimo I de’ Medici. (1519-1574), Duke of Florence and Grand Duke of Tuscany. From the Grand-ducal workshops, Florence. Date: ca. 1567–69 Culture: Italian (Florence) Carved into Lapis lazuli Based on a portrait-medallion. Dimensions: 2 3/16 x 1 13/16 x 3/8 in. (5.5 x 4.7 x

The greatest cameo carver of the 18th Century Pistrucci carved this for Angelo Bonelli. This was later bought by the cameo collector Richard Payne Knight, who was told, by Bonelli, that this was an ancient greek cameo. Later Knight showed this cameo to Pistrucci and refused to accept his explanation of having carved it himself.

Antique Blood-stone Cameo of Jesus Carving of Jesus with a crown of thorns. This dates from the Mid to late 17th century. The cameo was carved in Milan, Italy.