The cameos in the Department of Antiquities at the State Museums in Berlin originate in the Kunstkammer of the Brandenburg Electors. The largely unpublished stock of 875 ancient, baroque and classicistic cameos mirror its changeful history of acquisition, loss and growth through 400 years. Cut from precious stone in high relief, these cimelia since the 3rd century BC have been estimated as embodiment of luxury and as delicate medium of power. Investigation in material and form, in depiction, function and dating, leads the catalogue; several appendices contain inventories and archival documents, concordances and indices. All objects are presented in new colour photos.