Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A Georgian hardstone cameo, the oval banded agate cameo carved to depict the head of a handsome youth, in profile ‘a dexter’, with a star above his head, possibly Orpheus of Greek mythology, the cameo later claw mounted to a closed back ring setting, in yellow gold, ring size L. £1200-1500

In Greek mythology, Orpheus, son of the muse Calliope, was a supreme musician, capable of taming savage beasts and charming inanimate objects with his song. Married to the nymph Eurydice, she was killed by a serpent’s bite. The grieving Orpheus determined to bring her back from the underworld, and after a long and perilous journey, he charmed Hades, the god of the underworld, with his song. It was agreed he could return to earth with Eurydice, but on the condition that he must lead the way, not looking back until they reached the light of the sun. Just as they neared the exit, eager for a glimpse of his beloved, Orpheus turned to look behind and Eurydice was lost to him again. Orpheus wandered the land in mourning, singing of his loss for the rest of his days, until after death he was reunited with his love, and Zeus set his lyre among the stars as the constellation ‘Lyra’.

See: Virgil, Georgics, IV and Ovid, Metamorphoses, X-XI
and: Rowan, M, Nineteenth Century Cameos, Antique Collectors Club, 2004, p53.