DATE: Victorian, c.1890

A fabulous antique shell cameo brooch depicting the greek God Hermes, the messenger of the Gods. He was portrayed as a full-grown and bearded man, usually clothed in a long tunic and often wearing a cap and boots with wings. In this piece, we can see his cap, and the textures of his hair.. The detailing is great. It dates from the Victorian period and is rendered in high relief with a 9k gold mount. 

Hermes was the ancient Greek Gold of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, sleep, language, thieves, and travel. One of the cleverest and most mischievous of the 12 Olympian Gods, Hermes was their herald and messenger. In that position, he came to symbolise the crossing of boundaries in his role as a guide between the two realms of gods and humanity. He guided the souls of the deceased as the crossed into the afterlife. He was known to be charming, cheeky, and cunning. Aided by his winged sandals and cap he was able to travel quickly between the mortal and divine world. 

STONES 

Shell Cameo 

MEASUREMENTS 

3.9 x 3.4cm

WEIGHT 

11.4g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 9k gold 

CONDITION 

Excellent