1991.75.56, Necklace with pendant, Greece, ca. 4th-3rd century B.C.E., gold

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The heavy, multiple loop-in-chain of this ancient Greek necklace terminates at both ends in a snake's head, with a long collar on which the snake's scales are indicated in filigree. On the top and on the side of the collars, the scales are arranged vertically, underneath horizontally. The chain and the snake finials are held together by rivets.

Attached to the chain is a rigid pendant consisting of a large rosette, fitted on the back with a loop, and an acorn. The front of the rosette consists of three layers of sheet gold, one above the other. The top layer is smaller than the one underneath, which in turn is smaller than the lowest one. The petals are outlined with fine beaded wire. A circular setting, its base surrounded by a beaded wire, forms the center of the rosette. It might have held an inlay. The acorn pendant, a large oval bead, draws to a point at the lower end, to which are attached three granules of diminishing size. The upper part of the pendant is densely covered with slightly flattened granules; the lower part is left plain.

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), 136.

NOTES

updated provenance and geo x ref in TMS
added publication as a text entry in TMS

Catalogue essays

Greek Jewelry

Gold in the Ancient Mediterranean

Ancient Gold Jewelry: The Spread of Imagery

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

Greek Gold

Stones and Beads in the Ancient Mediterranean

Granulation

Soldering

Plain and Decorative Wire

Historical periods

Aegean and Greek Chronology

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

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.56

General Description

The heavy, multiple loop-in-chain of this ancient Greek necklace terminates at both ends in a snake's head, with a long collar on which the snake's scales are indicated in filigree. On the top and on the side of the collars, the scales are arranged vertically, underneath horizontally. The chain and the snake finials are held together by rivets.

Attached to the chain is a rigid pendant consisting of a large rosette, fitted on the back with a loop, and an acorn. The front of the rosette consists of three layers of sheet gold, one above the other. The top layer is smaller than the one underneath, which in turn is smaller than the lowest one. The petals are outlined with fine beaded wire. A circular setting, its base surrounded by a beaded wire, forms the center of the rosette. It might have held an inlay. The acorn pendant, a large oval bead, draws to a point at the lower end, to which are attached three granules of diminishing size. The upper part of the pendant is densely covered with slightly flattened granules; the lower part is left plain.

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), 136.

Fun Facts

Archival Resources

Web Resources

Notes