http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1220962/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=9E266F22DC9793DD13D097A23C614DD0Cameo with head of Medusa2nd–3rd century A.D.OnyxWhite on gray layered onyx. Cameo, in modern gold setting. The face of the gorgon Medusa looks out in fully-frontal view. Her hair is arranged in wavy locks flowing around her head, atop which are two wings. Next to one of these wings is a snake; its tail is intertwined with a second snake tail just below Medusa’s chin. This gem is representative of the change in Medusa’s appearance over time; some of her depictions from the Hellenistic period onwards are called the “beautiful Medusa” type to distinguish them from her grotesque early images. There is brown encrustation in the carving of the hair.Jewelry / Adornment1.2500000000 Centimeter4.2600000000 Centimeter6.3800000000 Centimeterhttp://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/194659;jsessionid=9E266F22DC9793DD13D097A23C614DD0