'Judith', shell cameo

'Judith', shell cameo, about 1530-50. Museum no. A.58-1930

'Judith'
Shell cameo
France
About 1530-50
Shell, with isinglass (fish glue) backing
Museum no. A.58-1930
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

The Old Testament figure of Judith holds aloft the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes. By using her beauty and charm, Judith had gained his favour and, while he lay in a drunken sleep, decapitated him. The scene was often viewed as an allegory of virtue triumphing over vice.

'Charles V', shell cameo

'Charles V', shell cameo, about 1550, Museum no. 1433-1855

'Charles V'
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1550
Cowrie shell (Cypraea)
Museum no. 1433-1855

Charles V (1500-58) was Holy Roman Emperor from the age of 19. Around his neck, he wears the chivalric emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The image was probably taken from an engraving.

'Vespasian', series of Three Roman Emperors

'Vespasian', series of Three Roman Emperors, shell cameo, about 1550-80. Museum no. 251-1853

'Vespasian', Series of Three Roman Emperors
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1550-80
Shell
Museum no. 251-1853

These formed part of a series, possibly made for a royal patron who would have viewed the Roman emperors as his antecedents.

'Maximinus', series of Three Roman Emperors

'Maximinus', series of Three Roman Emperors, shell cameo, about 1550-80. Museum no. 252-1853

'Maximinus', Series of Three Roman Emperors
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1550-80
Shell
Museum no. 252-1853

These formed part of a series, possibly made for a royal patron who would have viewed the Roman emperors as his antecedents.

'Diadumenian', series of Three Roman Emperors

'Diadumenian', series of Three Roman Emperors, shell cameo, about 1550-80. Museum no. 253-1853

'Diadumenian', Series of Three Roman Emperors
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1550-80
Shell
Museum no. 253-1853

These formed part of a series, possibly made for a royal patron who would have viewed the Roman emperors as his antecedents.

Unidentified Emperor, shell cameo

Unidentified Emperor, shell cameo, about 1570-80. Museum no. A.36-1937

Unidentified Emperor
Shell cameo
Probably Germany
About 1570-80
Shell, on slate backing
Museum no. A.36-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

The portrait can be identified as a Roman emperor by the characteristic laurel wreath.

Unidentified Man, shell cameo

Unidentified Man, shell cameo, about 1570-80. Museum no. A.37-1937

Unidentified Man
Shell cameo
Probably Germany
About 1570-80
Shell, on slate backing
Museum no. A.37-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

'Apollo and Marsyas', shell cameo

'Apollo and Marsyas', shell cameo, about 1650-70. Museum no. A.15-1937

'Apollo and Marsyas'
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1650-70
Shell
Museum no. A.15-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

The satyr Marsyas was a skilled flute-player who was forced into a musical contest with the god Apollo. Unfortunately, he used a flute that had been cursed and discarded by the goddess Minerva. Apollo won the contest and ordered Marsyas to be tied to a pine tree and flayed alive.

'Adam and Eve', shell cameo

'Adam and Eve', shell cameo, about 1580. Museum no. A.17-1937

'Adam and Eve'
Shell cameo
Probably Germany
About 1580
Shell (Spondylus)
Museum no. A.17-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

This cameo depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent climbing the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is central to the scene. The composition is loosely based on an engraving by Albrecht Dürer.

'The Sacrifice of Isaac', shell cameo

'The Sacrifice of Isaac', shell cameo, about 1700. Museum no. A.18-1937

'The Sacrifice of Isaac'
Shell cameo
France
About 1700
Shell, with wax restoration
Museum no. A.18-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

The scene is taken from the Old Testament story in which God tests Abraham's loyalty and obedience. It shows Abraham before a ritual altar, about to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

'Neptune', shell cameo

'Neptune', shell cameo, about 1700. Museum no. A.14-1937

'Neptune'
Shell cameo
Probably Italy
About 1700
Shell, with wax restoration
Museum no. A.14-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

According to classical myth, Neptune ruled over the sea and all the creatures living in it. Here he is flanked by two mythological seahorses, or hippocampi, which are half horse and half fish.

'Venus in a Chariot', shell cameo

'Venus in a Chariot', shell cameo, about 1750. Museum no. A.2-1922

'Venus in a Chariot'
Shell cameo
France
About 1750
Shell
Museum no. A.2-1922

Venus, the Roman goddess of love, is shown with her traditional attributes, a pair of doves, who help to draw her chariot. The shape of the cameo suggests it may have been used to decorate the top of a box.

'Hercules', shell cameo

'Hercules', shell cameo, about 1750-80. Museum no. A.19-1937

'Hercules'
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1750-80
Shell
Museum no. A.19-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

In Greek mythology, Hercules was a heroic figure who personified strength and courage. As a penance for killing his own children in a rage, he had to perform the Twelve Labours. Here he is shown resting, holding aloft his club and wearing the skin of a lion, his two main attributes.

Unidentified Woman, shell cameo

Unidentified Woman, shell cameo, about 1820-30. Museum no. A.23-1937

Unidentified Woman
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1820-30
Probably Helmet shell (Cassis madagascariensis)
Museum no. A.23-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

This is likely to be a contemporary portrait based on classical models.

'Two Lovers', shell cameo

'Two Lovers', shell cameo, about 1830-50. Museum no. A.21-1937

'Two Lovers'
Shell Cameo
Probably Germany
About 1830-50
Probably Bullmouth helmet shell (Cypraecassis rufa)
Museum no. A.21-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Unidentified Youth, shell cameo

Unidentified Youth, shell cameo, about 1830-50. Museum no. A.24-1937

Unidentified Youth
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1830-50
Shell
Museum no. A.24-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

This head, wearing an animal skin, depicts either Hercules or his lover Omphale.

'Aesculapius', shell cameo

'Aesculapius', shell cameo, about 1850. Museum no. A.38-1937

'Aesculapius'
Shell cameo
Italy
About 1850
Probably Helmet shell (Cassis madagascariensis)
Museum no. A.38-1937
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh FSA

Aesculapius was the Greek god of medicine. He is shown with his traditional attribute of a staff with a serpent coiled around it.