"9 Muses Necklace" by Joanne Conant and Margarete Seeler(2003), from 500 Enameled Objects: A Celebration of Color on Metal (500 Series) edited by Martha Le Van (2009):
The 9 Muses necklace by Joanne Conant is a stunning piece of jewelry that embodies the spirit of creativity. Learn about the inspiration beh
Click the link above for clickable images of the panels at Joanne Conant's website.
Image description: an 18k gold necklace made up of 11 panels, larger at the center and smaller at each end. Each panel has a champlevé and cloisonné enamel scene of one of the 9 Muses, with panels depicting the the sun and the moon flanking the clasp.
From top left, going counterclockwise:
A brown tree trunk stands on the right with a green-leafed branch arching to the left over a yellow-orange rayed sun; two red birds fly towards the sun from the right, the lower red bird carries two leafs in its beak.
Polyhymina, muse of hymns and sacred poetry, is seated on the left of the panel. She wears a yellow gown which bares her left breast and gestures with her raised left hand at a temple on the right of the panel.
Clio, muse of history, sits facing left in the center of the panel. She wears a mauve tunic and a gold helmet and is writing on a scroll or tablet. A brown tree trunk with a green-leafed branch arching to the right stands behind her, from which hangs a bluish shield or banner with the golden scales of justice. To her right stands a sapling with oak leaves.
Euterpe, muse of music, sits facing left in the center of the panel, leaning against a column. She wears a turquoise gown and is playing a lyre. Two reddish birds fly towards her from the left.
Calliope, muse of epic poetry, stands wearing a tan gown in the center of the panel. She gestures towards what might be a loom with her right hand and looks at what might be a griffin held aloft in her left hand.
A brown tree trunk stands on the left with a green leafed branch arching to the right over the seated god Pan, playing his pipes. Erato, muse of erotic and lyric poetry, wears a mauve gown and dances on the right.
Apollo, on the left, dances with Terpsichore, muse of dance, on the right. They both wear floaty blue-green-purple sashes around their hips.
Urania, muse of astronomy, wears a short blue and white tunic. She holds a waning crescent moon aloft in her right hand and gestures with her left hand to a rayed yellow sun on the left of the panel. She floats above blue waves crested with white foam.
Melpomone, muse of tragedy, sits on the right of the panel, facing a ruined temple occupying the left background. She wears a purple and blue veil and gown. Her head is bowed and rests on her right hand in a gesture of sorrow.
Thalia, muse of comedy, sits in the center of the panel. She wears a mauve or maybe pink gown and holds a theater mask aloft in each hand. A green tree occupies the left background and a red bird with a green-leafed branch swoops down on the right.
A brown tree tree trunk stands on the left with a green-leafed branch arching to the right over a silver moon flanked by stars. Below, two reddish fish swim in a blue pond.
