Near Eastern-Western Asiatic Gold Bird Pendant

$410.71

A fine Near Eastern-Western Asiatic gold pendant featuring a bird finial. The bird is stylistically rendered with delicate gold filigree outlining the anatomical features such as the wings, feet and eyes. A gold pin sits below the feet ending in a gold loop holding the six beads in place. An alternating pattern of carnelian and blue beads further enrich the pendant. A gold hoop has been added to the top for suspension, later added in antiquity.

Date: Circa 1st Millennium-5th Century BC
Provenance: Private collection, Japanese gentleman, formed 1970s-2010.
Condition: Fine condition, hole to the top of the bird's back.

SOLD

SKU: LD-329 Category: Tags: , ,

Many grand civilizations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes. Gold, electrum and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Fine filigree, as we can see on this item, along with granulation, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.

To discover more about metalwork techniques in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Decorative Metalwork Techniques

Weight 1.03 g
Dimensions L 3.9 x W 1.3 cm
Culture

Metal

Semi-Precious Stones

Region

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