Pendant with the Head of Medusa 1885 - 1890

This gold pendant by French artist Alfred André features a cameo of the Greek mythological figure Medusa. Crafted between 1885-1890, the pendant features an intricately detailed gold frame with enamel accents and a pearl drop. Medusa is depicted as a beautiful woman with a head of snakes, a powerful symbol of both beauty and danger in classical art. The cameo itself is carved from chalcedony, a translucent quartz, which adds to the overall elegance of this exquisite piece of jewelry.