DATE: Victorian, c.1850

A fabulous Victorian shell cameo brooch depicting Medusa the Gorgon. The detailing is great, with Medusa facing to her left and with a winged head and snakes tied beneath her chin and in her hair. Typically, Medusa is portrayed as a peacefully sleeping human figure—only her wings suggest that she is a supernatural creature. Rendered in high relief with a 15k gold mount. 

Medusa, one of three gorgon sisters, who had an affair with the sea god Poseidon. Athena punished her by turning Medusa "hideous" making her hair into snakes and her skin a greenish hue. Anyone who locked gaze with Medusa was turned into stone. In Hesiod's early ancient Greek poem, Theogony (dated to around 700 BCE), of these three monsters, only Medusa was mortal which is why her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. 

Although Medusa is commonly regarded as a monster, her head has often been seen as a protective amulet to keep evil away. Indeed, the name Medusa comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "to guard or protect".

STONES 

 Shell Cameo 

MEASUREMENTS 

 4.8 x 4.2cm

WEIGHT 

 11.8g

MARKS 

 No marks present, tests as 15k gold 

CONDITION 

 Very good