Description
Depicting The Judgement of Paris, a pastoral scene of four figures and one putto, signed G.NoTo on reverse, to a plain mount, unmarked
Dimensions
Footnote
The cameo depicts The Judgement of Paris; a Greek myth in which Paris of Troy was called forth by the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to choose between them. This myth details the very beginnings of the Trojan war. The goddess of discord, Eris, was insulted by her exclusion from the wedding celebration of Peleus to Thetis to which other gods had been invited. In order to exact revenge, Eris carved 'To the fairest one' into a golden apple and threw the apple into the wedding celebration. The goddesses, Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite, all believed that they were the intended recipient of the apple, causing chaos and confusion among the gods. Paris of Troy agreed to choose between the three goddesses. To secure her position of 'fairest', Aphrodite bribed Paris with the love of Helen of Sparta. After choosing Aphrodite above the other goddesses, Paris carried Helen away from her husband Menelaus which then caused the Greeks to invade Troy.
This cameo is an excellent example of the carving capabilities of Giovanni Noto (1902-1985). Noto, a master carver for many years, was also known as the 'professor' or 'Michelangelo's Chisel' for his outstanding abilities. He managed the Giovanni Apa Studio in Italy as artistic director for many decades. His pieces frequently refer to classic tales and mythology, as evidenced by this brooch. The minimal design of the frame is meant to highlight the story's depiction and showcase the skill of the carving. This cameo, or one very similar, was sold as part of a collection in Bonhams California; Period Art & Design, including Jewelry Featuring property of the Fabulous Harry Denton auction, lot 5643, 8th December 2013.
