Ancient Greek Pendant with Garnet and Pearl

$700.57

A Greek Hellenistic pendant, finely cast in high karat gold, around 22-24 karat. The pendant is modelled in a reversed tear-drop shape, enriched by a cabochon garnet inset, and ended by a single white pearl. Further embellishment includes two round-shaped cabochon garnet insets to the top, and a fine granulation framing the composition. The pendant features a flat, unworked reverse and a suspension loop to the top. Such pendant has been adapted from an earring in ancient times, with the suspension loop modelled from ancient gold.

Date: 2nd-1st Century BC
Condition: Fine, one of the garnet inset missing. Suitable for modern wear with care.

SOLD

SKU: FP-201 Category: Tag:

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 decease as part of his or her funerary outfit. Garnet was favoured in Antiquity due to its deep colouration and for the meaning that was attributed to it. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Hades gave pomegranate seeds to his lover Persephone, as a token of safety, while she was leaving the underworld to join her mother Demeter in the human world. The semi-precious stone, recalling the colour and the shape of the pomegranate seed, became a typical gift exchanged between separated lovers.

To discover more about gemstones in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: The History and Mythology of Jewellery in Antiquity.

Weight 4 g
Dimensions L 4.3 cm
Culture

Metal

Semi-Precious Stones

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