🥇 BANNER MINERVA - Roman Goddess of War - ****UPDATE 4/24/09****

[ModernMiner]

Today I dug up this oval piece at the 1830's property. It is some sort of silver plated metal, and is about 2" tall. The back is hollow (follows the contour of the front). Looks like a lady wearing armor and a winged helmet. Lady Mercury?
Any idea age, what this was, or who that is supposed to be on the front?
Should make a nice display piece.
Thank you,
MM

 

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[Montana Jim]

Re: Lady Mercury?

I dont think its Minerva......Minerva didnt have wings on her helmet

Well Gyspsy... I think you may be correct! The winged thing... hmmm... I guess we can consider any helmeted goddess... I know Minerva never is seen in the same helmet often, and not all the Athena helmets (or hardly any) have wings either.

However you have a point.

Mojjax - you're finding wings - but I do think it's a female's face on the brooch he found.

I guess at this point I am uncommited... LMAO

 

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[Old Dog]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Looks to be the same immage that is on the dime minted from 1916 to 1945.

If so it is a lady liberty with a winged helmet.

Mercuy was a dude, and didn't wear a helmet.
his wings were right on his head ... poor guy.
LOL
Thom
OD

 

[mojjax]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Hermes wore a winged helmet also . One story says he loaned it to Perseus , to give him x-tra speed to get Medusa .

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Lady Mercury?

WARRIOR MAIDEN: Victorian Shell Cameo depicting Athena, the Goddess of War, wearing a helmet carved with her father Zeus' head. This represents the mythological legend of Athena being born by "springing" from the head of Zeus

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Very cool cameo Christie.
Beautifly done.

Thom

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Very cool cameo Christie.
Beautifly done.

Thom

... yea, except... no wings on the helmet

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Didnt Nate from Ohio find something like this a little while back....except it was double headed.....

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: Lady Mercury?

I want to thank everyone for the replies on this mystery woman piece, and especially the TN mods.
I never thought I'd make a banner find, but I was wrong. Very cool. Thank you.
Hopefully we can figure out just exactly who this Goddess is.
True story.....When I was out there hunting yesterday, I wasn't finding much at first and was getting a bit discouraged. I started talking to my Dad (actually to myself) who passed away in August. I said "come on Dad show me a sign that you are watching me, and help me find something good." Well, I'm thinking this may have been that sign. I know, I'm crazy, right?
He used to love it when I would e-mail him pictures of what I found in my TN posts. I really miss those times now.

Pictures of the back to follow.
Thanks TN folks.
-MM-

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Congrats,
Now you'll have to have a good day!
Would be pretty hard to spoil it now.

Thom
OD

 

[mojjax]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Here's a beautiful cameo . Hermes is in the lower left . the link has some nice close-ups .

http://www.timedancesby.com/images/cameos/ca080.htm

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Here's a beautiful cameo . Hermes is in the lower left . the link has some nice close-ups .

http://www.timedancesby.com/images/cameos/ca080.htm

Thanks Mojjax. Definitely got the winged helmet. I want to say my piece is of a woman though with the flowing hair and facial features.
What do you think?
By the way, that cameo pin is awesome!
-MM-

 

[PBK]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Athena (Greek) and Minerva (Roman) are generally considered to be the same mythological entity.

To muddy the waters even further, there's also the subordinate goddess of war known as Enyo (Greek) or Bellona (Roman).

As noted, the Roman goddess Roma was often shown wearing a winged helmet; so, she may indeed be the subject depicted on MM's find.

However, 19th century jewelry designers were often rather liberal and fanciful in their representations of classical deities.

Finally, not even experts always agree on which deity is being depicted, sometimes even disagreeing about gender. For example, an attribution of one ancient coin states, "The bust is often called Minerva, Bellona, or Liber. But most probably it is Attis." (Minerva and Bellona are females; Liber and Attis, males.)

So who knows?

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Athena (Greek) and Minerva (Roman) are generally considered to be the same mythological entity.

To muddy the waters even further, there's also the subordinate goddess of war known as Enyo (Greek) or Bellona (Roman).

As noted, the Roman goddess Roma was often shown wearing a winged helmet; so, she may indeed be the subject depicted on MM's find.

However, 19th century jewelry designers were often rather liberal and fanciful in their representations of classical deities.

Finally, not even experts always agree on which deity is being depicted, sometimes even disagreeing about gender. For example, an attribution of one ancient coin states, "The bust is often called Minerva, Bellona, or Liber. But most probably it is Attis." (Minerva and Bellona are females; Liber and Attis, males.)

So who knows?

PBK,
Thanks for that info. I'm glad to just have this neat piece from the 19th century.
I know what you mean though about not being able to tell man from woman sometimes.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
-MM-

 

[civilman1]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Down to the wire Banner find....Big Congrat's!!

 

[The Seeker]

Re: Lady Mercury?

That is a great find........and your right! It will make for a nice addition to your collection.

The Seeker

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: Lady Mercury?

can we see a picture of the back

Sorry it took so long.
Here's a picture of the back. Nothing too exciting though.
-MM-

 

[gmstreet]

Re: Lady Mercury?

It could be??


Or Maybe??


I think the latter......... lmao!!

Sorry, I had to after that dress picture.

Nice find. Congrats on making the banner!!

Greg

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Lady Mercury?

more

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Looks like Minerva to me.
I found this piece behind the house by where the old seperate kitchen used to be. It's a very trashy area. Looks like I better spend more time digging in that area.

I thought this Minerva piece may look good displayed with these other two fine ladies I dug before.
What do you think?
-MM-

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Lady Mercury?

Looks like Minerva to me.
I found this piece behind the house by where the old seperate kitchen used to be. It's a very trashy area. Looks like I better spend more time digging in that area.

I thought this Minerva piece may look good displayed with these other two fine ladies I dug before.
What do you think?
-MM-

You are right....They all look so beautiful together. Perfect start to a wonderful collection.