The Muses— goddesses of art, poetry, and science—were often connected with bees, which were called “the birds of the Muses”. They gave mortals the gift of eloquence by sending bees to place honey on their lips, to make their voices sweet. The Greek poet Hesiod, who was active around 750 to 650 BC, wrote of the Muses that “whomsoever they honoured and looked upon at his birth, on his tongue they shed a honeyed dew and from his lips would drop gentle words and he would speak counsel unerringly.” The Greek geographer and author Pausanius (110-180 AD) wrote of the poet and musician Pindar that, “While he slept bees flew to him and plastered honey on his lips. Such was the beginning of his career of song.” Similar praise was given to the poets Homer, Sappho, and Erinna, as well as the writers and philosophers Sophocles, Plato, Vergil, and Lucan.

1/2” wide Acid etched brass cuff with antiqued patina with hand cast copper honeycomb and sterling silver bee.