Antique hardstone cameo cut from jasper gemstone on a glass background from 1830s. Setting is made from 18K gold with a C-hook on the back.This cameo is an incredible carving cut by a master carver from a very hard stone known as red jasper.The deity Mercury had a temple on the Aventine and a festival celebrated on May 15th. Mercury, like Hermes, was the god of circulation - of people, goods and words. Under Greek influence it seems the two gods were linked early on, with the myths of Hermes being transferred to that of Mercury. His cult was established in very early Rome to solicit divine protection of the emerging grain trade. From there he became one of the principle deities of negotiatores, or Roman businessmen.
; "Antique Hardstone Cameo Brooch of Mercury")
