FRENCH GOLDEN CORNELIAN PENDANT
OBJECT GROUP: seals (pendent)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: France
PERIOD : 1810
MATERIAL : 18K yellow gold
STONES : cornelian
EXTRA INFO : Greek hybrid creatures - A hybrid is a composite of or two or more species of animal and/or human. Strange as they may appear, the Greeks
were endlessly fond of fabricating these creatures - one will recognize hybrids in the earliest myths and legends, not to mention inhabiting numerous works of art. For the Greeks
especially, these beings of the imagination must have had great significance, in that they represented the uncivilized forces in nature that opposed mankind. The seven most known
hybrids are:
The centaur - In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.
The
cockatrice - this creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted
poultry parts.
The giants (gigantes) - These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).
The griffin - According
to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.
The harpy - Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture
parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".
The satyrs (faun) - Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures
were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.
The sirens - Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their
enchanted songs.
WEIGHT : 9.80 gram (6.30 dwt)
HALLMARKS: ram's head, which indicates that it is French
CONDITION : Good condition
SIZE : 4.80 cm (1.89 inch) by 3.30 cm (1.30 inch)
Please when
referring to this piece, mention the following number: 01324-2387, or
click here.
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