Victorian Goddess Athena Hardstone Cameo Pendant Necklace Gold Antique 1860-1880

This is an absolutely stunning Goddess Athena antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Hard stone Carnelian or Agate Cameo Pendant. The Museum Quality hard stone cameo is of extraordinary beauty and is set in 10 Karat Gold. The Cameo is the work of a master artisan. The Goddess Athena is carved by the hand of an extraordinary artist with very high three dimensional relief and superb very fine details throughout. Athena's hair, helmet, delicate face and torso are absolute masterpieces of hard stone cameo carving. Hard stone cameos are far more difficult to carve than shell cameos as they are carved from semi-precious gems and require extraordinary lapidary skills. The color of the carnelian or agate gem beneath the white of the Goddess is gorgeous and allows wonderful light to enter the jewel.