Hercules and Achelous
by FONTANA, Annibale, Rock crystal; gold and champlevé enamel frame, 8 x 10 cm
This plaque is from a series of twelve depicting the deeds of Hercules made for a casket of rock crystal, ebony, and gold, mounted with jewels.
Achelous, a river god, competed with Hercules for the hand of the princess Deianira, daughter of Oeneus, king of Calydon, and Althaea. Hercules managed to defeat the god and claim Deianira as his wife.