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Unusual Earrings Made From Cameos of the Omphale in Gold, Circa 1845

€ 890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Unusual Earrings Made From Cameos of the Omphale in Gold, Circa 1845

Description

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

Two ladies with tiaras and pinned-up hair are depicted here in the medium of the shell cameo. They look calmly and powerfully straight ahead. A second glance at the classically dressed figures, however, is confusing. Are they clubs that the ladies are carrying over their shoulders? Omphale is meant by the two ladies depicted here. This queen of 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 'women's work' while she carried his lion skin and weapons. When the time of punishment was over, Heracles realized his situation and 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 a new meaning in Roman times: it must be seen in the context of Augustus' propaganda against Marcus Antonius, as the latter was associated with Cleopatra. The bas-relief carvings on these earrings depict the strong woman with the club of Heracles. The late Biedermeier cameos are set in gold. A simple frame holds them in wide, multi-paneled frames of engraved gold. We date the unusual pair, which came to us from a Berlin collection, to the 1840s.

Size & Details

Women Power

€ 890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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