Name: Ancient Greek Hellenistic Gold and Coral Amphora Pendant
SKU: CY-61
Price: 650.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Ancient Greek Hellenistic Gold and Coral Amphora Pendant

£ 650.00

A fine ancient Greek pendant in the shape of an amphora featuring intricate metalwork. Its cylindrical neck, enriched with a ring of small granulation, sits above the body composing of a domed openwork bead formed from delicate gold filigree. A cylindrical coral bead and an affixed ribbed ovoid gold bead are situated below. The pendant terminates in a granule cluster. Two gold strips, elegantly scrolled into an S shape, have been applied to either side of a hoop down to the bottom of the gold neck, imitating the handles of an amphora. Incised grooves further embellish the hoop and the handles. An additional loop has been later added in antiquity to the top for suspension. This beautiful item of jewellery testifies the extreme quality of Greek Hellenistic goldsmith art.

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SOLD

As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth and richness. In Ancient Greek culture jewellery was worn in everyday life but was also buried with the deceased as part of his or her funerary outfit. Jewellery might have been enriched by precious and semi-precious stones and decorative motives would have included popular myths, gods, goddesses, and heroes. Jewellery such as this beautiful miniature pendant was crafted and intended for everyday use, instead of being destined exclusively to a funerary purpose.

To discover more on ancient metalwork, please see our relevant blog post: Decorative Metalwork Techniques