Disarming!

Rare Shell Cameo of Omphale Mounted as a Gold Brooch, c. 1840s

€ 790.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Rare Shell Cameo of Omphale Mounted as a Gold Brooch, c. 1840s

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

A beautiful woman with a diadem and pinned-up hair is depicted here in the medium of the shell cameo. She looks calmly and determinedly straight ahead. A second glance at the classically dressed figure, however, is confusing. Is it a club that the lady is carrying over her shoulder? And what exactly is the grim-looking, bearded little man doing on her chest? The lady depicted here is Omphale. This queen from classical mythology is known to us from the stories about Heracles. He was enslaved as atonement for the murder of the king's son Iphitos and bought by Omphale. Heracles then initially defended his mistress's land against invading enemies. However, when Omphale learned that her slave was the demigod Heracles, she quickly made him her husband. In blind love for Omphale, Heracles did everything his wife asked. She made him wear women's clothes, spin wool and do other so-called women's work, while she wore his lion skin and bore his weapons. When the time of punishment was over, Heracles left Omphale. The basic outlines of this myth can be traced back to the 5th century BC. However, the mockery of the supposedly effeminate man in the story of Heracles and Omphale took on new meaning in Roman times: it is to be seen in the context of Augustus' propaganda against Marcus Antonius, as the latter was romantically associated with Cleopatra. In the carving on this brooch, the strong woman is depicted in the arms of Heracles – it is his club that she is carrying. Perhaps the bearded little man refers to Heracles himself, as a diminished and subjugated version of the demigod who was otherwise considered invincible. The late Biedermeier cameo is set in gold. A simple frame holds the cameo and four stylized acanthus leaves hold a rounded frame at a slight distance from the subject. We date this unusual piece, which came to us from a Munich collection, to the 1840s.

Size & Details

Disarming!

€ 790.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

Learn more

Disarming!

Brooches & Pins

Privacy settings