Byzantine Rosette Gold Pendant with Turquoise and Garnet

An exceptional Byzantine gold double-faced pendant, modelled in the shape of a rosette with a central turquoise on both sides. One side displays six oval, flat-topped garnet insets. The central round stone is enclosed in a gold sheet frame. The garnet stones are arranged as petals and are also enclosed in thin gold sheet frames, further embellished  by twisted gold wire. Five sockets, which would have possibly originally held other stones, are interspersed between the petals. The reverse of each petal displays an intricate open work floral design, enriched by gold granules. Such pendant has been adapted from a more elaborate piece of jewellery in ancient times, with the suspension loop modelled from ancient gold. The intricacy and complexity of this pendant is a hallmark of the absolute mastery of Byzantine goldsmith art. There are no doubts that such piece would have belonged to a member of the aristocracy.