- Material: Sardonyx Shell, 15k gold tested, polychrome enamels.
- Size: 2 1/2" by 1 7/8", cameo itself is 1 6/8" by 1 1/2".
- Date and Origin: Circa 1850 Italy.
- Conditions: Perfect.
Museum Quality cameo depicting a rarest subject never seen before now, Zeus Enthroned, probably after an annciet Greek coin, see picture, dated 200 B.C. This cameo has an incredible detailed carving which reproduces all the details of the coin and even more. Zeus is seated on his throne which is superbly detailed, holding his scepter and is caressing his eagle. His body shows all the muscles and you can see his strong legs even through the veil which cover them. The eagle on his side is wonderfully made, you can see each single feather of the divine bird. A full mythological scene that really make you speechless. The frame is something of really gorgeous, polychrome enamels on massive gold and the style is the Renaissance one. The colors of the enamel are blue, white, red, green, turquoise and gold. All in perfect condition with no losses. Scrolls and gold beads and leaves complete this elaborate, magnificent frame, the right one for a the King of the Gods, Zeus. This is another fantastic, rarest, highest quality cameo for all the collectors.
A Bit of History:
Zeus in Greek mythology is the king of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus, and the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull and the oak. Zeus is frequently depicted by Greek artists in one of two poses: standing, striding forward, a thunderbolt in his raised right hand, or seated in majesty. Zeus was the child of Cronus and Rhea, and the youngest of his siblings. In most traditions he was married to Hera, although at the oracle of Dodona his consort was Dione: according to the
Iliad, he is the father of Aphrodite by Dione. He is known for his erotic escapades, including one pederastic relationship with Ganymede. These resulted in many famous offspring, including Athena, Apollo and Artemis, Hermes, Persephone (by Demeter), Dionysus, Perseus, Heracles, Helen, Minos, and the Muses (by Mnemosyne); by Hera he is usually said to have fathered Ares, Hebe and Hephaestus.His Roman counterpart was Jupiter.
