William Morris Antiques has dated this piece to the 1890s.
The Caduceus ( staff of Hermes). In Greek mythology the staff was given to Hermes by his half brother Apollo as a gift in return for the tortoise shell lyre, although its origins can be traced back as far as ancient Mesopotania - circa 3500 BC - and the Sumerian god Ningishzida who carried a wingless version of the double snaked staff.
It's a particularly potent symbol that to this day represents, by extension of Hermes and Mercury, the traits associated with those gods: trades and occupations broadly speaking, but more specifically as a symbol of wealth, wisdom, commerce, eloquence, thieving, and negotiation.
In modern usage, the caduceus is sometimes adopted as a symbol for medicine, having been confused with the Rod of Asclepius (which features only one snake and no wings) carried by the Greek god of medicine. It's thought that the confusion arose when in 1902 the US Army Medical Corps chose it as its insignia. on the insistence of a single officer.
William Morris Antiques has dated this piece to the 1890s.
Jess william morris established himself in the antiques business in 1999 after being awarded an rics accredited fine art valuation degree
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the William Morris Antiques Profile Page
Late Victorian Diamond & Gold Caduceus Brooch
