Offered for sale here is a solid 18k yellow gold and
pearl pendant of the Gorgon Medusa centered on an
aegis. This item was designed and made in our shop. It
is sold exclusively by us and is a small-scale
production item with (at present) an open-ended limit
to the number of copies made. It will be produced in
other precious metals and finishes including sterling
silver and gilt sterling silver in the future.
The design of this pendant is taken from the Medusa
and aegis cameo that covers the base of the ancient
Hellenistic Agate cameo cup known as the Tazza Farnese.
The design of the Gorgon Medusa is an ancient Greek
mythological device that has long been used to ward
off evil and danger. An aegis, also an ancient Greek
mythological invention, was a scaly snake-infested
cloak that also protected its wearer from harm. The
Ancient Greeks saw the combination of the two as
powerful protection from harm. The protective device
of the Gorgon Medusa with or without an aegis is found
on many martial items, on shields, armor, weapons,
uniforms and insignia. From ancient times right up to
the modern day this device has adorned items in need
of and/or used for protection. The Greek goddess
Athena wore an aegis with a gorgon mask as a symbol of
her invulnerability.
The Medusa mask and aegis have likewise been a
repeated and much used theme in the jeweled arts as
well. It has proved a fascinating subject for jewelers
from antiquity to the modern day. In antiquity, it was
thought, to wear a Medusa provided the wearer
protection and in modern times, though we discount its
supernatural power, we still are drawn to its wondrous
and somewhat sinister continence. On a subconscious
level it may still hold the power for modern man that
it did on a conscious level for the ancients.
This pendant measures approximately 21mm in
diameter (a bit bigger than a nickel), and it measures
approximately 40mm from the top of the snake bail to
the bottom of the Baroque pearl. The bail of this
piece will accommodate a 2.5mm chain. The carving is
very detailed and true to the feel of the ancient
medusa design that inspired it.
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