Gemini is the third astrological sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between about May 21 and June 21. Gemini is represented by the twins Castor and Pollux, known as the Dioscuri, who were granted shared half-immortality after the death of the mortal brother, Castor. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of how Gemini has been depicted in Art and Design.
A gold zodiac pendant, by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1978 The textured openwork pendant depicting the zodiac symbol for Gemini, mounted in 18 carat yellow gold, signed VCA, numbered, rubbed maker’s mark, French assay mark, partial London import mark, length 4.4cm, maker’s case
Sold for £ 3,000 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
Delft earthenware plate. Tin-glazed with representation of Gemini, two cherub-like twins; border of birds, trees, houses and three circles with flower in each; inscription on back. Painted by: Sir James Thornhill circa 1711
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
Gold Gemini Pendant, David Webb 18 kt., signed Webb, ap. 40.8 dwts.
Sold for $3,437 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in
FRED – an 18ct gold and steel ‘Force 10’ Zodiac pendant. Of bi-colour design, the textured circular panel, representing Gemini, with rope-twist surround. Signed Fred, Paris. French assay marks. Length 5.2cms. Total weight 20.2gms.
Sold for £700 at Fellows in 2018
This bowl entered the collection of Louis XIV, a great lover of hard stone, before 1673. It is oval-shaped and made of sard. The bowl comes from Iraq, where it was cut in the 9th century. The mount is the work of the French “white and pink” workshop and dates from about 1665. The enameled decor with cameos is typical of the 17th century, and its refinement complements that of the stone.
The decoration of the bowl is completed by a series of 16th-century agate cameos. The lid is decorated with nine cameos. The central cameo is cut so as to depict two styles of scene: the upper part features Mercury standing on a chariot and saluting the sign of Gemini; the lower part depicts a seascape and a port. This is perhaps an allegory featuring a person born under the sign of Gemini. The ten cameos inserted into the enameled decoration of the lid are busts of figures, including Minerva, Apollo, and Elizabeth I (1533-1603). Many cameos depicting Elizabeth I have been produced. On the foot are seven cameos of Henry IV of France, Elizabeth I, and other figures.
Reference:The Louvre
Coin with Gemini Zodiac Sign Date: A.H. 1027/ A.D. 1618 Attributed to India
This coin bears a Gemini symbol found on the other objects in the collection, but it was not created for talismanic purposes. This sign instead corresponds to the month in which it was minted. In his memoirs, the Mughal emperor Jahangir recorded his inspired idea for the unusual design of this and other coins depicting the signs of the zodiac.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
May; Gemini American 1911 Artist A. Lenz, Printer Edward H. Mitchell (American, 1867–1932), Publisher Johnston Ayers Co.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
An English silver creamer, London, 1804 with Hebrew inscription recording wedding gift, bombé oval with reeded rim and harp-shaped handle, engraved with crossed foliage sprays above two children representing Gemini marked on front, maker’s mark not clear height 4 in. 10.2 cm
Sold for 1,250 USD at Sothebys in 2018
Gemini (Twins) (after Baldassare Peruzzi) 17th century (drawn) Artist/Maker: Unknown
Pen and brown ink, with brown wash, over black chalk, heightened with white, on paper prepared with a rough grey wash
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Gemini Sign
Made for an abbey in southern Germany, probably the Benedictine house of SS. Ulrich and Afra in Augsburg [Ulrich and Afra appear in the calendar and are depicted on fol. 131v; thirteenth-century note in German, top of fol. 2r]; Bénigne-Charles Févret de Saint-Mémin (1770-1852) [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [bookplate originally on front paste down, no longer extant]; Prince of Stolberg-Wernigerode, Zeisberg sale, Wernigerode, October 10, 1854, no. 37 [no. Za51 on spine]; G. Schar [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [G. Schar 20 on fol. 1r]; Léon Gruel collection, Paris, late 19th-early 20th century [mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest. Acquired by Henry Walters SHARE ON TWITTERSHARE ON FACEBOOK German (Artist) late 12th-early 13th century (Medieval) ink and pigments on velvety parchment of medium thickness, well prepared but very worn from use (Manuscripts & Rare Books) W.26.3V H: 9 x W: 5 7/8 in. (22.8 x 15 cm) Germany, Augsburg (Place of Origin)
Reference: The Walters Art Museum
