There are many legends regarding Ariadne in Greek mythology although it seems Ariadne was a princess of Crete. She was a daughter of King Minos and his Queen, Pasiphaë, and the legacy of the god Zeus (on her father’s side) and the titan Helios (on her mother’s side). She is most commonly known for helping the Greek demigod hero Theseus get through the Labyrinth in Ancient Greece. She became the immortal wife of the god Dionysus after Theseus abandoned her. Her Roman counterpart is Ariana. Reference: Fandom
Ariadne fell in love with the Athenian hero Theseus and, with a thread or glittering jewels, helped him escape the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur, a beast half bull and half man that Minos kept in the Labyrinth. Here the legends diverge: she was abandoned by Theseus and hanged herself; or, Theseus carried her to Naxos and left her there to die, and she was rescued by and married the god Dionysus. Reference: Encyclopaedia Britannica
In cameos and other art, Ariadne is often portrayed with her husband Dionysus. This can be either as the figure of Dionysus or by symbolism. The symbolism can be a panther, either together in sometimes portrayed with a panther. Panthers were the preferred mount of Dionysus so this is often portrayed with Ariadne. Also, ivy was associated with Dionysus so Ariadne is often portrayed wearing an ivy wreath. Sometimes she is depicted sleeping which probably relates to the legend of Theseus leaving abandoning her while she is sleeping on the shore of Naxos.
A fine and rare Bohemian blue cameo-carved glass goblet attributed to Franz Paul Zach, circa 1860 Depicting Ariadne on the back of a panther after Johann Heinrich von Dannecker, the reserve with “lenses.” height 9in (23cm)
Sold for US$ 3,750 (£2,838) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2013
Cameo of glass paste imitating amethyst, engraved with a head of Ariadne in profile, wearing an ivy-wreath, her hair knotted up at the back. 1st to 2nd Century
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
ENGLISH, CIRCA 1760-70 SLEEPING ARIADNE Marble relief 20 ¼ x 8 7/8 in. (51.5 x 22.8 cm.)
Sold for GBP 3,750 at Christie’s in 2017
Sardonyx cameo with Dionysus and Ariadne Period:Hellenistic or Early Imperial Date:1st century B.C.–1st century A.D. Culture:Greek or Roman
Dionysos and Ariadne in a chariot drawn by two panthers.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Russian gold snuff box set with cast-paper cameos, Probably Théremin Brothers, St. Petersburg, the cameos possibly by Empress Maria Feodorovna, circa 1800 rounded rectangular, the corners chased with laurel wreathes, the panels of diaper centered at the top by a paper cameo of the Triumph of Bacchus and Ariadne, signed Anteros, and on the base by one showing a chariot race in the Circus Maximus, with the architecture of the spina, marked inside base and cover FT script in circle, city mark, and with Cyrillic letter length 3 7/8 in. (9.8cm)
Sold for 31,250 USD at Sothebys in 2008
