Information on Zeus Greek god of the sky and of cameos which depict the Greek god. Zeus was known as one of the twelve Olympian gods and chief god of the Roman pantheon, specifically a god of the sky. He embodied all the benign and vengeful powers and functions of divinity. In addition he led the other Olympian gods in their overthrow of the Titans and, as the husband of Hera/Juno, is particularly known for his many infidelities. Reference: The British Museum.
Zeus is often depicted in cameos as a man with a beard wearing a laurel wreath. Sometimes he is depicted as an eagle. This is probably because of the myth of the Aetos Dios, giant eagle which is the messenger of Zeus. According to some it was once a mortal king named Periphas, whose virtuous rule was so celebrated that he was came to be honoured like a god. Zeus, in anger, would have smote him with a thunderbolt, but Apollon intervened and transformed the king into an eagle and set him beside the throne of Zeus. Reference: Theoi Greek Mythology
A coral cameo bracelet, circa 1835-1850 Collet-set to the centre with an oval coral corallium rubrum cameo of Zeus, his back slightly turned and looking right, between smaller cameo busts facing him, connected by coral beads, reverse of clasp engraved with memorial attributions, length 18.2cm, fitted case
Sold for £1,750 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2016
Sardonyx cameo engraved with a laureate bearded bust of Zeus in profile, with hair and beard in thick close curls, and a chlamys knotted on his left shoulder. 1st – 2nd Century AD
© The Trustees of the British Museum
A GREEK CORAL CAMEO OF ZEUS GREEK GOD HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C. 47 mm. long
Sold for GBP 25,000 at Christies in 2017
Brooch with shell cameo, England approx. 1870/80, Zeus as eagle and Asteria, frame YG 585/000, good cut, approx. 5.5 x 4.5 cm
Sold for €350 at Henry’s Auktionshaus AG in 2017
EMERALD AND DIAMOND BROOCH, LATE 19TH CENTURY Centring on a carved emerald cameo depicting the profile of Zeus wearing a laurel wreath, within borders of circular- and rose-cut diamonds, later pin fitting, later fitted shagreen case.
Sold for 10,000 GBP at Sothebys in 2009
