GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Greek goldwork was not limited to the production of jewelry. Gold vessels of different shapes and sizes are known from temple inventories and from actual finds. The exact purpose of other gold objects is not always clear. Reels or rattles have been found in the graves of women, and therefore have been interpreted as bobbins or children's toys, but their exact meaning remains unknown.
The hollow reels or rattles seen here are in the shape of a large bobbin with an opening in the center. The slightly concave side wall is left undecorated. The top and bottom consist of a series of concentric circles of plain round wire tightly soldered together. Invisible objects inside the hollow body turn the reels into rattles. This type of reel is thought to be a child's toy or a device for winding thread. Examples are found in women's tombs only and always in pairs. A similar piece found in a grave in Sardis contained twenty-seven gold pellets.
Adapted from
Barbara Deppert-Lippitz, Ancient Gold Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art in association with the University of Washington Press, 1996), 67-68; 142-3.
NOTES
updated provenance and geo x ref in TMS
added publication as a text entry in TMS
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1989: probably Collection of Dr. Athos Moretti, Switzerland [1]
1989-1991: Collection of Robert Haber, New York, New York [2]
From 1991: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc.
[1] based on existing provenance entry in TMS
[2] See printed email exchange between Andrew Oliver and Anne Bromberg, dated August 3, 2012, found in Collections Record Object file 1991.75.53
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- Examples of other "reels" are found in women's tombs only, and always in pairs.
- Internal bits of material cause these reels to rattle, perhaps as amulets.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.51.a-b
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General Description
Greek goldwork was not limited to the production of jewelry. Gold vessels of different shapes and sizes are known from temple inventories and from actual finds. The exact purpose of other gold objects is not always clear. Reels or rattles have been found in the graves of women, and therefore have been interpreted as bobbins or children's toys, but their exact meaning remains unknown.
The hollow reels or rattles seen here are in the shape of a large bobbin with an opening in the center. The slightly concave side wall is left undecorated. The top and bottom consist of a series of concentric circles of plain round wire tightly soldered together. Invisible objects inside the hollow body turn the reels into rattles. This type of reel is thought to be a child's toy or a device for winding thread. Examples are found in women's tombs only and always in pairs. A similar piece found in a grave in Sardis contained twenty-seven gold pellets.
Adapted from
Barbara Deppert-Lippitz, Ancient Gold Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art in association with the University of Washington Press, 1996), 67-68; 142-3.
Fun Facts
- Examples of other "reels" are found in women's tombs only, and always in pairs.
- Internal bits of material cause these reels to rattle, perhaps as amulets.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
updated provenance and geo x ref in TMS
added publication as a text entry in TMS
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1989: probably Collection of Dr. Athos Moretti, Switzerland [1]
1989-1991: Collection of Robert Haber, New York, New York [2]
From 1991: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc.
[1] based on existing provenance entry in TMS
[2] See printed email exchange between Andrew Oliver and Anne Bromberg, dated August 3, 2012, found in Collections Record Object file 1991.75.53
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1991.75.51.a-b
source file
object_notes_4_a-0006.xml.nores