Etruscan Revival Arethusa Cameo Brooch
An exquisite Victorian Etruscan Revival cameo brooch dating from the latter half of the 19th century; a time when all things ancient (Classical, at least) were thoroughly in vogue amongst Europe's high society (courtesy, in no small part, of the Castellani firm).
The brooch is built around a superb hardstone cameo depicting the nymph Arethusa*, with a string of pearls around her neck, and coral drop earrings - likely modelled after a 405-400 BC silver decadrachm minted in Syracuse, Sicily. The detail and craftsmanship are nothing short of exceptional which is mirrored by the stunning brooch mount, crafted in bloomed 18 carat gold with applied ropework and engraved, petal-like detailing to its concave face. A gold fringe dangles to a point below, and a concealed bail to the reverse allows for wear on a chain as a pendant.
"In Greek mythology, Arethusa (/ˌærɪˈθjuːzə/; Ancient Greek: Ἀρέθουσα) was a nymph who fled from her home in Arcadia beneath the sea and came up as a fresh water fountain on the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily.
"The myth of her transformation begins in Arcadia when she came across a clear stream and began bathing, not knowing it was the river god Alpheus, who flowed down from Arcadia through Elis to the sea. He fell in love with her during their encounter, but she fled after discovering his presence and intentions, as she wished to remain a chaste attendant of Artemis. After a long chase, she prayed to her goddess to ask for protection. Artemis hid her in a cloud, but Alpheus was persistent. She began to perspire profusely from fear, and soon transformed into a stream. Artemis then broke the ground allowing Arethusa another attempt to flee. Her stream traveled under the sea to the island of Ortygia, but Alpheus flowed through the sea to reach her and mingle with her waters. Virgil augurs for Arethusa a salt-free passage beneath the sea on the condition that, before departing, she grant him songs about troubled loves, not those in her own future, but those of Virgil's friend and contemporary, the poet Cornelius Gallus, whom Virgil imagines dying from unrequited love beneath the famous mountains of Arcadia, Maenalus and Lycaeus. During Demeter's search for her daughter Persephone, Arethusa entreated Demeter to discontinue her punishment of Sicily for her daughter's disappearance. She told the goddess that while traveling in her stream below the earth, she saw her daughter as the queen of Hades." - Source: Wikipedia.org
*it is possible, perhaps even likely, that this piece was commissioned as a portrait of a real woman styled after Arethusa. A kind of Victorian cosplay quite popular at the time.
Era: Victorian, circa 1870
Stone: Hardstone Agate
Size: 7.2cm by 4.1cm
Marks: None, tested as 18ct gold
Condition: Great antique condition.
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Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
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[Last updated: 28th February 2026]
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Condition
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