Western Asiatic Pendant with Lapis Lazuli

$695.04

A fine Near Eastern-Western Asiatic pendant modelled in high karat gold, around 22-24 karat. The pendant is composed of a cylindrical lapis lazuli bead, enclosed by a gold cell, finely decorated with rows of gold granules. Further embellishment includes gold granules, arranged in a cluster-like shape, to the top of the pendant, and hollow cylinder-shaped gold beads, to the pendant’s top and base. Such pendant has been adapted from an earring in ancient times, with the suspension loop modelled from ancient gold.

Date: 1st Millennium -5th century BC
Condition: Condition: Fine. Suitable for modern wear with care.

SOLD

SKU: FP-196 Category: Tag:

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 granulation, as we can see on this item, along with filigree, 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 gemstones in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: The History and Mythology of Jewellery in Antiquity.

Weight 2.5 g
Dimensions L 3.3 cm
Culture

Metal

Semi-Precious Stones

Region