/internal/media/dispatcher/1220962/resize%25253Aformat%25253DthumbnailCameo with head of Medusa2nd–3rd century A.D.Overall: 5.5 x 6.4 x 1.3 cm (2 1/8 x 2 1/2 x 1/2 in.)
Overall (gem, as preserved): 4.2 x 4.3 cm (1 5/8 x 1 11/16 in.)OnyxHenry Lillie Pierce Fund98.7580White 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 / Adornment1.25000000004.26000000006.380000000019465901