circa 1860

A rare Russian shell cameo and 14K gold brooch. The hand-carved shell cameo depicts Hebe and the eagle of Zeus.

Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, was supposed to have the power to give eternal youth (goddess of youth). Before marrying Heracles, Hebe was the cupbearer of the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. Between about 1750 and 1880, Hebe was a prolific subject in art, many of the times being depicted holding the chalice to Zeus’ eagle. 

The cameo is set in a gold bezel embellished with a twisted gold wire.

54 x 44 mm (2 1/8 x 1 3/4 in.)

The brooch is marked on pin with maker’s initials and 56 zolotnik Imperial gold standard. The frame is marked with maker’s initials and later Soviet control marks from the 1930s for 583 gold standard.