Victorian Hera Cameo Pendant
Hera was Queen of Olympus, reigning alongside her husband-brother, Zeus, and one of the most significant (yet overlooked) deities in the Greek pantheon. Daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea, she represented marriage, women, kings and dynasties, as well as the skies and constellations.
Both regal and majestic, the embodiment of royal duty, Hera is usually depicted wearing a diadem or marriage veil. She has been often, in modern times, painted as a villain of sorts, but the original mythology told tales of a survivor: resilient, brave, and fiercely protective, but forced to live under the strict and cruel limitations placed upon her by Zeus (mirroring the patriarchal nature of ancient Greek society, and indeed highlighting the gender inequalities that remain in our own). She was instrumental in the destruction of Kronos, and yet her brothers took all the credit, and suffered countless betrayals, not just by her husband, but by virtually everyone close to her.
This charming pendant dates from the late Victorian period, with Hera carved from banded bull's tongue shell and mounted within a gold rope-work border. Crafted in 9ct gold.
Era: Victorian, circa 1890
Size: 2.7cm (with bail) by 1.6cm
Stone: Bull's Mouth Shell
Marks: None, tested as 9ct Gold
Condition: Great antique condition
Full appraisal document provided with each item
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
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Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
A 25% deposit will be taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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