• Material : Cornelian Shell
• Size: 2 1/32" by 1 3/4"
• Date and Origin: Circa 1850/1860 Italy, frame could be English, 15 K tested.
• Conditions: Mint, blue enamel a little bit worn on some points. 

Excellent Quality Cameo depicting Hebe the Goddess of Youth and cupbearer to the Gods. After a sculpture of Antonio Canova, scroll down to see it. Very rare subject. This is an excellent work of art, very detailed cameo, carved by an artist.  Rarest cameo and subject very desirable collectors' piece.

A bit of history:

In Greek's mythology Hebe was the Goddess of Youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera. On the mount Olympo she was the cupbearer to the Gods, to which she poured nectar and ambrosia (The Iliad, book 4th). In the 5th book of The Iliad she also is the one who immerses in the water her brother Ares (the God of War) after the battle with Dyomede. In the Odissey, book 11th, is the bride of Hercules.