Gem

Sommerville: Antique paste - Medusa. A fragment in antique paste; very indistinct from age; found at Cumae imbedded in lava. Finished in plaster and tinted by the collector. If held to the light the beautiful sapphire color can be seen where I have removed the lava. Also notice the rich blue color of the small piece partially cleared of lava, which I have broken from No. 1237 and suspended by a wire. Three Gorgons are mentioned: Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. They were frightful beings; instead of hair their heads were covered with hissing serpents, and they had wings, brazen claws, and enormous teeth. Medusa, who alone of her sisters was mortal, was at first a beautiful maiden, but her hair was changed into serpents by Athena, she having become the mother of Pegasus. Her head now became so fearful that every one who looked at it was changed into stone. This head of Medusa was often placed in the centre of shields and breastplates. Antique Pastes, Case YYY.