Antique Victorian Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus Shell Cameo Brooch

View Similar Items

Antique Victorian Gold Cameo Brooch of Hebe Feeding the Eagle

Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch

Antique Shell Cameo with Diamond Accent Brooch Pendant

Antique Victorian Agate Cameo Seed Pearl Brooch

Victorian Gentleman's Shell Cameo Brooch, Gold Setting, U.K., Circa 1870's

Antique Shell Cameo Brooch

Vintage Shell Cameo 14 Karat Gold Brooch

Vintage Silver Eagle Design Brooch W/Abalone Shell

Antique Victorian Cameo Shell Brooch Greek Young Lady

Victorian Carved Shell and Yellow Gold Cameo Brooch

Antique Victorian Cameo Shell Bacchante Pin Brooch, Circa 1890

Antique Victorian Era Shell Cameo Wise Man Brooch 15 Carat Yellow Gold

1 of 10

Antique Victorian Hebe Feeding the Eagle of Zeus Shell Cameo Brooch

About the Item

Museum quality shell cameo brooch depicting Hebe feeding the Eagle of Zeus. This cameo is a triumph of grace and delicacy. Everything in this piece speaks about art and the carver who made this work was just a true artist. Look at the beauty of Hebe, her face is so pretty and at the same time so regal, her facial expression is sweetest. The carving is perfect in every details, a three dimensional one. Note the pearls in her hair and the crown of plaited hair. Look how the carver used the shell to evidence her face, her hair, the eagle. The delicacy of this piece is truly amazing. The shell is perfect, no lines at all. Look with how much grace she holds the eagle's head. Her dress is softly leant on her shoulder leaving it exposed, you can note the ruched dress which leaves a part of her breast nude. Everything is wonderfully carved. You can also see the nipple of her breast, just a bit carved. This subject was very popular in the Victorian era, probably after a painting of Sir Willian Beechey (England 1753/1839), now in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge England. This cameo is a real work of art. This subject is really amazing. This is another masterly carved cameo. A very desirable collectors piece, rare and museum quality cameo. Material: Cornelian Shell, 15K gold tested . Size: 2 2/8" by 1 7/8". Date and Origin: Circa 1860 Italy. Conditions: Mint. A bit of History: In Greek mythology, is the goddess of youth (Roman equivalent: Juventas). She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, serving their nectar and ambrosia, until she was married to Herakles (Roman equivalent: Hercules); her successor was the young Trojan prince Ganymede. Another title of hers, for this reason, is "Ganymeda." She also drew baths for Ares and helped Hera enter her chariot. Hebe had two children with her husband Heracles: Alexiares and Anicetus. The name Hebe comes from a Greek word meaning "youth" or "prime of life". Juventas likewise means "youth", as can be seen in such derivatives as juvenile. In art, Hebe is usually depicted wearing a sleeveless dress. There is a statue of Hebe, by Robert Thomas 1966 in Birmingham city centre, England. Antonio Canova also sculpted four different statues of Hebe: one of them is in the Museum of Forlì, in Italy.

Metal:
15k Gold
Dimensions:
Height: 2.26 in (57.41 mm)Width: 1.76 in (44.71 mm)Depth: 0.13 in (3.31 mm)
Style:
Victorian
Place of Origin:
Italy
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1860
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2035210605792