Antique Brooch with a Cameo of the Muse Melpomene, Italy, c. 1870

Behind the Mask

Antique Brooch with a Cameo of the Muse Melpomene, Italy, c. 1870

€ 590.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

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

Identifying the figure depicted on this cameo gave us quite a bit of trouble. At first glance, the female bust in profile appears to depict one of the great goddesses of antiquity. In particular, the diadem—the so-called Stepháne (Greek στεφάνη)—and the veil draped over her head initially suggested Hera, while the sword behind her shoulder seemed to point more toward Athena. However, none of these interpretations could convincingly explain all the details. The decisive clue was ultimately provided by the bearded mask on the figure’s chest. Together with the sword, it points to Melpomene, the muse of tragedy. The tragic mask is her most important attribute and is often depicted as male and bearded in both ancient and neoclassical representations. A sword or dagger also belongs to her traditional iconography, alongside the more frequently depicted club. Even for the veil, parallels can be found in ancient art. Particularly revealing is a print in the Thorvaldsens Museum in Copenhagen, engraved by Joseph Caspar after a drawing by Karl Wilhelm Wach. It depicts Melpomene wearing a large, bearded tragic mask and holding a weapon, demonstrating how widespread this association was in the neoclassical art of the early 19th century. The print was also part of Thorvaldsen’s own collection. Nevertheless, the type of our cameo is not entirely common. In particular, the tall headdress, reminiscent of a stéphane, is unusual for Melpomene and initially made her identification difficult. Although we know of ancient cameos depicting a veiled Melpomene with a sword and mask, as well as others that combine her profile with a bearded mask, we have not yet found a depiction that brings together all the elements of our cameo in exactly this way. Identifying her therefore required a bit of detective work involving a search through ancient cameos and prints from the 18th and 19th centuries. The highly oval cameo was carved around 1870, presumably in the Bay of Naples, from the shell of a sea snail. A simple setting made of gold and tombac holds the well-preserved cameo and allows it to be worn as a brooch.

Size & Details

Behind the Mask

€ 590.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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