Leda and the Swan Pendant
Free shipping and returns
100% recycled solid gold
2 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 🔍
When will my piece ship? 🚚
We keep a small inventory of solid gold pieces - please check about 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? 💸
Most brands sell through boutiques and department stores, where the pricing model is usually a 2 - 4x markup from their wholesale price. For example, the jewelry brand sells the piece to the store for $1000, and then the store sells it to you for $2,500.
Because Common Era sells directly from our studio, we can give our customers the same pricing we would be giving to wholesale stores.
FAQ
When will my order ship?
All pieces except for made-to-order solid gold will ship within 24 hours on business days.
Solid gold orders ship from our NYC studio and the time to ship is indicated above the "Add to cart" button on those pieces.
What if my piece is lost in the mail?
This is in incredibly rare, but if it happens we will make it right with a free replacement.
Solid gold pieces are always shipped with signature required to ensure this doesn't happen.
Does your jewelry come in a box or a pouch?
Both! Our packaging is made in Chicago and consists of a peach-colored vegan suede pouch in a branded box, so they’re easy to wrap up as gifts.
The Making of a Molten Gold Ring
Each solid gold piece is made in our New York City studio from 100% recycled 14 karat gold. Come behind the bench as we craft a Molten Medusa Ring
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