Antique Brooch With a Cameo of Berenice Set in Gold, c. 1860

The brooch presented here with a cameo of the years around 1860 celebrates an energetic woman. Pharaoh of Egypt and Queen of Cyrene Berenice II, daughter of the King of Cyrene and the Syrian princess Apama, was born around 270 BC. For dynastic reasons, she was betrothed at a young age by her mother to Demetrios the Handsome - whose physical attraction was apparently so strong, however, that shortly after his arrival her mother herself entered into an affair with him. Berenice, with short decision, instigated a rebellion and had the unfaithful husband murdered in her mother's bedroom. The mother, however, she let her live. Berenice then became sole ruler and decided to marry Ptolemy III of Egypt, as she did not want to lose her position and hoped for economic advantages for her kingdom through the connection with Egypt. After her husband went to war in Syria in 246 B.C., the administration of both countries rested entirely with Berenice. The poem "The Curl of Berenice" by Callimachus also dates from this time. According to this poem, Berenice vowed to sacrifice a lock of hair upon the king's healthy return home. After Ptolemy actually returned, Berenice made good on her promise. The lock of hair was taken to the temple of Arsinoe Zepherites. A day later it had disappeared, and the mathematician Konon of Samos discovered it in the sky. The zodiac sign "Hair of Berenice" still reminds us of the powerful queen, who knew how to defend her kingdom and her position in a society of men. The oval brooch presented here is another monument to her. Beautiful and detailed, the profile portrait of Berenice is cut into a two-tone shell. Her rich hair waves in beautiful curls around her head. The gold setting is decorated with fine engravings that help us date the piece of jewellery to around 1860. The beautiful cameo found its way to us here in Berlin.

Estimate:$992.22

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