Sentient 'Tales'

A perfectly crafted fish tail hinting at movement as it curves downward, each scale perfectly shaped finished with a delicate swish of the tail.

The earring stem leads into the area of the work which subtly resembles a tummy, alluding to a Mermaid.

Once in the ear it gives the illusion of the being swimming through the ear lobe...

*Exclusive to IAGF; The only place in the world to buy them

Material

A pair of Ear Studs

18ct solid yellow gold figure

18ct yellow gold threaded ear stem

Ceramic coated threaded ball fitting

Weight: 2 grms approx.

(Important note: All Studs come with Ceramic ball fittings only and finished pieces may vary slightly from images due to the hand finished aspect of all our work; hand finished pieces create individual works)

Details

• ALL profits to habitat and species conservation
• Exclusive to IAGF: The only place in the world to buy them
• Ethically sourced 18ct gold
• Available in Yellow
• Fully refundable within 30 days of purchase

Tales from the Sea

Mermaids have a rich history from ancient Mesopotamia (goddess Atargatis) and Assyria (1000 BC) to Hans Christian Andersen Tales, Sailors superstitions and they are often linked to Manatees and Dugongs.

Manatees and dugongs, one of the world’s most gentle, playful and inquisitive species’, are under threat due to habitat loss, fishing / human related fatalities and climate change with the Dugong facing extinction… Let’s not let these precious gentle souls of our world disappear into the very myths their mystical counterparts hail from.

Ancient Origins

Assyria (c. 1000 BC): The first known mermaid story features the goddess Atargatis, who transformed into a fish-tailed being.

Mesopotamia: Early depictions on seals (18th century BC) show fish-tailed figures, with figures like the god Oannes appearing as half-fish, half-human.

Greek & Roman Mythology

Sirens: Originally bird-women, they became conflated with fish-tailed mermaids in the classical period, luring sailors to their deaths with enchanting songs.

Alexander the Great: A legend says his sister, Thessalonike, became a mermaid who asks sailors if Alexander lives; a correct answer brings calm, a wrong one, storms.

Folklore & Superstition

Sailors' Tales: Mermaids represented the sea's unpredictable nature, seen as both benevolent and malevolent, appearing as figureheads on ships to ensure safe passage.

Manatee Sightings: Christopher Columbus and others likely mistook manatees or dugongs for mermaids, explaining some historical "sightings".

Global Variations: Cultures worldwide have mermaid myths, like Africa's Mami Wata or Japan's Ningyo (with potentially deadly consequences).

Modern Era

Literary Influence: Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" (1837) popularized a romantic, tragic view, influencing Disney's famous adaptation.

Cultural Icon: Mermaids remain powerful symbols of mystery, beauty, and the wild ocean in art, film, and literature, embodying humanity's complex relationship with the sea