Victorian Wedgwood "Heracles & Tiresias" Brooch
A superb jasperware cameo in white over vivid royal blue signed Wedgwood. It depicts Heracles at Delphi, consulting the oracle Tiresias with Athena stood atop a pedestal entwined by snakes. The cameo is mounted in a simple 9 carat rose gold brooch mount with applied ropetwist border. Victorian, circa 1850.
Tiresias, the blind Theban soothsayer, played an important role in a number of Greek myths, notably the Odyssey, the expedition of the Seven against Thebes, the introduction of Dionysus to Thebes, and the tragedy of Oedipus. His own tale is remarkable, to say the least... and it being Greek myth there are, naturally, a couple of versions. Here are two:
"One tradition stated that Tiresias was blinded by Pallas Athena because he had seen the goddess naked, but at [his mother] Chariclo's request Pallas gave him the gift of prophecy in compensation. In the most famous version, however, whilst walking on Mount Cyllene, the young Tiresias saw two serpents mating. Tiresias either separated the serpents, or wounded them, or killed the female. Whichever was the case, the result of his intervention was that he became a woman. Some years later, walking by the same spot, he [or she?] again saw the serpents mating. He intervened in the same way and regained his former sex. This incident made him famous, and one day when Hera and Zeus were quarreling over whether the man or the woman experienced the greater pleasure in love-makingm they decided to consult Tiresias, the only individual to have experienced both. Tiresias said that if the enjoyment of love was constituted out of ten parts, the woman possessed nine and the man one. Hera was so furious that she struck Tiresias blind. Zeus, in compensation, gave him the gift of prophecy and the privilege of living for seven human generations."
- 'The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology', Pierre Grimal (1986)
Era: Victorian, circa 1850
Size: 5.3cm by 3.9cm
Stone: Royal Blue Jasperware (porcelain)
Marks: Stamped WEDGWOOD and 9CT
Condition: Great antique condition
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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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US Shipments
Parcels going to the United States are currently subject to the Trump administration's 10% "reciprocal tariff". Until August 29th (2025), parcels under $800 remain tariff-free under the de minimis exemption.
We declare our parcels under HTS code 9706 (antique over 100 years old) which reduces import duties to zero. This means the 10% "reciprocal tariff" is all you should be charged by customs*. At this time, you are responsible for any taxes levied at the border.
US customs will require a SS# or business tax ID to clear parcels valued over $2500. UPS will request this information from you directly. More information about this can be found on the US Customs and Border Protection website.
* The tariff situation is being handled extremely erratically by the Trump administration, as such it's susceptible to change as short notice. We will keep the information on this page updated as best we can.
[last updated: August 23rd, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
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Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is 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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