19th Century Grand Tour 18ct Gold Carved Cameo of God and Goddess Bracelet

19th Century Grand Tour 18ct Gold Carved Cameo of God and Goddess BraceletA fine and impressive Grand Tour bracelet, which consists of five large cameos with the following god and goddesses; 1. Ariadne, the Greek goddess is also known as the Roman equivalent Arianna. She is holding a pine cone stick, which is associated with her husband Dionysus and his cult, and has grapevines in her hair. She is also holding a cup, and it is believed that she may also be holding two balls of thread. According to legend, Ariadne gave

A fine and impressive Grand Tour bracelet, which consists of five large cameos with the following god and goddesses;

1. Ariadne, the Greek goddess is also known as the Roman equivalent Arianna. She is holding a pine cone stick, which is associated with her husband Dionysus and his cult, and has grapevines in her hair. She is also holding a cup, and it is believed that she may also be holding two balls of thread. According to legend, Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread to guide him through the Labyrinth and he followed it back to the entrance after slaying the Minotaur.

2. Poseidon, the Greek god, also known as Neptune in Roman mythology, holds a trident as his main symbol. This three-pronged fork resembles a fisherman's spear and represents his dominion over the sea as the god of storms, earthquakes, and horses.

3. Chloris is the goddess of flowers and spring, and the wife of Zephyrus. She adorns her hair with an abundance of flowers, specifically daisies and plants, and carries a chain of roses. In Roman mythology, she is equated with Flora. One day, while out for a stroll, Chloris came across the body of a woodland nymph. Moved by the tragic death of the innocent creature, she breathed new life into it, transforming it into a beautiful flower.

 4. Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, volcanoes, forges, and blacksmithing, was born lame according to myth. His Roman counterpart was Vulcan. He was cast from heaven by his mother, Hera, and again by his father, Zeus, after a family quarrel. However, he was brought back to Olympus by Dionysus and was one of the few gods to return after exile.

5. Artemis, the huntress goddess, is often depicted with a crescent moon crown on her head. In Roman mythology, she is also known as Diana. Revered as the goddess of the hunt and wild, her arrows were believed to bring sudden death and disease to those who offended her.

It is likely to have been purchased by an Englishman shopping during their Grand Tour, a popular and fashionable journey through Europe in pursuit of Classical antiquity. These cameos were likely craved from a Helmet shell in Naples, Italy.