Object Description
Georgian 18ct gold necklace with twelve onyx cameos depicting the ancient Greek gods, The Olympians, circa 1830. The necklace is created with carved onyx cameos in graduating size, the largest to the front centre depicting Zeus. The graduate in size towards the back and each set into an 18ct yellow gold grain set frames and interspercsed with turquoise cabochons each set with decorative gold wire work. The tongue and box clasp is hidden in the cameo of Artemis.
Period
circa 1830
Gemstones
11 x turquoise cabohons
Setting
18ct yellow gold
Weight
58.9 grams
Dimensions
Length: 40cm/15.7″
Central cameo: 2.8cm x 2.2cm
Condition
Very fine
Directors Notes
This necklace has twelve cameos depicting the 12 major deities of ancient Greek mythology, the Olympians, named as such as they lived in Mount Olympus. These were considered to be immortal beings that looked exactly like humans. In this necklace Zeus is the central, largest of the cameos, and then to the right there is Demeter, Hestia, Apollo, Poseidon, Ares, Artemis (clasp), Athena, Hephaestus, Hermes, Hera and Aphrodite.