One fascinating aspect of symbols, imagery, gods and goddesses, rests in the many layered meanings they take on over the decades, centuries, or millennia.

Medusa is one example and depending on the time and place, the image of her has been associated with beauty, rage, a powerful weapon, an evil averting symbol, and many more complex connections.

Cultures such as the Berbers of North Africa, and the Greeks and Romans, all have versions of her tumultuous history. Even today, the fashion industry usurped her ancient presence for connotations of desire and allure.

These superb Georgian gold and shell cameo dangle earrings employ Medusa as the top surmount image. Exceptionally hand carved, both the entwined snakes as her hair, and the wings are evident.

Dangling below, two meticulously crafted images bear similar themes but are distinct. Both appear to represent Aphrodite and Eros or Cupid but have some differences. These include that they face a different direction, and in one Aphrodite is holding two stalks above the head of Eros. In the other, Eros has an arm raised in power and each woman is clothed and positioned differently.

Note how the white of the shell was artistically used against the thinner white background which presents slightly darker, to provide subtle contrast.

Both cameos are clasped within ovals of 18k yellow gold, one oriented east west and one north south. Each is constructed with a smooth outer section and ridged inner frame characteristic of the period. Three fine gold chain suspends the drops.

Classically and dating to the period around 1810, these are a superlative example of the impressive delicacy and detail of the period utilizing neoclassical motifs.