• Material: Sardony Shell, 15k gold tested.
• Size: 3" by 2".
• Date and Origin: circa 1870 Italy.
• Conditions: Perfect.

This is an excellent quality cameo of a rare subject, it probably depicts the Triumph of Ariadne. Look at how the carver used the colors of the shell to make a fabulous contrast between the chariot and the other figures and the milk white background. This is a full carved scene, Ariadne stands on her chariot, wonderfully and elaborately carved, and holds a cup of wine in her hand. Cupids ride lions which drive the chariot. Another Cupid is behind the chariot and holds a dove. A Cupid riding the lions is holding a grape and the one who comes before the procession is instead holding a thyrsus. The grape, the cup of wine, the thyrsus are all symbols of Bacchus, the God of Wine, and Ariadne was his wife. The cameo is three dimensionally carved, look at the high reliefed carving. The pictures really don't give any justice to this piece that really deserves to be seen in person to appreciate all of its beauty. Another great treat for any collector.

A Bit of History:


Ariadne, in Greek mythology, was daughter of King Minos of Crete and his queen, Pasiphaë, daughter of Helios, the Sun-titan. She loved Theseus, and gave him the skein of thread that enabled him to make his way out of the labyrinth after killing the Minotaur. When Theseus left Crete, Ariadne went with him, but before they reached Greece, he abandoned her at Naxos. There the god Dionysus consoled and later married her. She bore him several children, including Oenopion, whom Dionysus first taught the art of winemaking. It was said that Zeus granted Ariadne immortality and that Dionysus set her bridal crown, the Corona Borealis, among the stars.