In Greek Mythology Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, the King and Queen of the Gods and married Heracles (Hercules to you and me); so that’s some pedigree for starters!

Hebe represents youthful vigour and the prime of life, she can influence eternal youth and restore youth to mortals, so obviously a good friend to have! She is also associated with forgiveness and mercy

Hebe was the cup-bearer for the Gods on Mount Olympus, serving them their divine nectar and ambrosia

In art she is typically depicted with her father Zeus, in his form of an eagle, as is the case with this intaglio. And we see that here she is carrying out her roll as she pours nectar from a jug into a bowl to feed Eagle Zeus

The myth then takes something of a cheeky turn when one the day Hebe stumbled and a mortifying wardrobe malfunction ensued, when her boobs fell out of her dress.

Apollo fired her from her job as cup bearer and she was replaced by young Ganymede, a boy, and the lover and protégé of her father. Gutted.
Although all was not lost as Hebe would return to her previous role during the Trojan War when Ganymede was too upset to continue.

This beautiful intaglio then carries qualities of youthful vigour, caregiving and recovery from the disgrace of an accidental nip slip, which I think most of us can relate to! Aside from the myth itself the imagery alone is beautiful and mesmerising in equal measure, it is a very special intaglio and would make a magical piece of jewellery