DATE: Victorian, c.1840

Stunning early Victorian oyster shell cameo brooch depicting Hebe carrying a bowl of ambrosia. Hebe was, to the ancient Greeks, was cupbearer to the gods and, more importantly, she was responsible for keeping them eternally young (or if not young, at least no longer ageing). Along with the usual Olympian traits of superhuman strength, immortality, vitality, etc., she had influence over eternal youth, and the ability to restore youth to mortals - a power seemingly exclusive to her. The daughter of Zeus and Hera, she was known for her incredible beauty and would go on to marry Heracles, at which point she resigned her position as cup bearer. Philostratus the Elder suggested that Hebe was the youngest of the gods, and since she was responsible for keeping them eternally young was the most revered by her divine counterparts. Pindar, in Nemean Ode 10, refers to her as the most beautiful of all goddesses. The level of detail attained by the carver of this cameo is utterly spectacular... the grey backdrop allowed to shine through the billows and folds of her shawl giving an impression of its translucency. Oyster shell is a somewhat more tricky medium to carve from compared with the usual shell, on account of its brittle nature, however the effect, with grey mottled (sometimes iridescent) colouration is really quite spectacular. Mounted in a circa 1840 15k gold brooch mount with jump ring allowing for wear as a pendant.

STONES 

Oyster shell

MEASUREMENTS 

3.5 x 2.8cm

WEIGHT 

11.4g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 15k gold 

CONDITION 

Very good, light wear commensurate with age. Possibly converted from a clasp in the distant past.