Leda and the Swan Pendant
Free shipping and returns
100% recycled 14k solid gold
3 year warranty
Fairly made, fairly priced
Story
Common Era's pieces are always inspired by my travels, my love of history and classical mythology. I visited the ruins of Pompeii on my honeymoon in 2021 and became entranced by the newly unearthed fresco of Leda and the Swan found in a home on Regio V (pictured in the slideshow).
The fresco is unique in that it shows Leda differently than she has been previously depicted, Pompeii's chief archeologist Massimo Osanna said, "It sends a message of sensuality. It means, 'I am looking at you and you are looking at me while I am doing something very, very special. It is very explicit. Look at her naked leg, the luxurious sandal; it is a message of beauty and also a message of sensuality."
Leda's story, like that of many women in classical antiquity, is one of objectification in a patriarchal society. She was the queen of Sparta when Zeus, king of the gods, spied her from afar and fell in love. He transformed himself into a swan and, depending on which source we examine, either raped or seduced Leda in this form. She also lay with her husband the king that same evening and went on to lay two eggs, from which hatched Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux.
Like all myths, Leda's story has been interpreted and reexamined over the centuries. As modern viewers, we are able to focus our own lens upon her. The fresco found in Pompeii depicts Leda as an active participant, cuckolding her husband, defiantly staring down the viewer. We choose to honor her in this way, as a woman in the throes of ecstasy, lust and passion.
Why Solid Gold
Solid gold is the best option if you:
1. Want to wear your piece forever or pass it down as an heirloom. Solid gold will last for centuries without degrading.
2. Want to invest in jewelry as an asset rather than an accessory. Gold traditionally appreciates in value and can always be melted down and made into a new piece
Unlike many brands, our gold is never hollow - it is always 100% solid, cast using the lost wax method, meaning there is a lot more gold in each piece.
Our gold is 100% certified recycled and each piece is handcrafted here in New York.
Product Details
Metal
100% recycled solid yellow, rose or white gold
Pendant Dimensions
15mm x 15mm (excluding bail)
3mm thick
Chain:
Solid 14k gold
20 inch cable chain with lobster clasp
Made in New York City
When will my piece ship?
We keep a small inventory of some pieces - please check above the 'Add to Cart' button to see if your piece is in stock.
If not, it will display the estimated ship time so that we can custom make it for you in our NYC studio.
What does Traditional Retail Price mean?
Excellent question! The majority of brands sell through stores like Neiman Marcus, Net-a-Porter and local boutiques - this is called wholesaling.
The standard formula is that retailers can purchase jewelry at 50% off the RRP. They then double that price and sell it on to you. There is also an agreement that the brand cannot undercut the retailers and offer lower prices on their own website, so no matter where you shop, it's always the same price.
We do not wholesale our solid gold pieces - we make them in NYC to order.
This means we can offer an amazing price without the retail markup. It's that simple :)