Head of Poseidon

A carved reddish-orange cameo in profile shows a bearded male head with thick, tightly curled hair and a stern, classical brow. The relief stands out against the paler layers of the stone, and a gold bail mount at top makes it a pendant.

Look closer: The gold bail ring at the top edge is the only metal element and shows how the gem hangs as a pendant.

Artist

Unknown

Date

probably late 18th century

Medium

Onyx, mounted in gold as a pendant

Source

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Size

3000 × 4000 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Milton Weil Collection, 1939