GENERAL DESCRIPTION
During the early periods of Greek history, pins were more necessary than ornamental, as they were used to keep the draped peplos in place. As fashions changed, pins were no longer needed, and they became very rare. The late Hellenistic period saw a revival of pins, not as dress fasteners, but as hair ornaments. Most pins were made from bone or ivory. The few known examples made in precious metal have a common structure of a shaft, a capital, and a figural miniature sculpture.
This pin with Aphrodite and Eros is a characteristic example: the golden shaft terminates in a Corinthian capital, which supports a small figural group on a square base, and Aphrodite leans with one arm on a herm, a pillar surmounted by a bust of the god Hermes. Helped by a little Eros, standing on her other side, she lifts her left foot to untie her sandal.
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; 142.
NOTES
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS
- added publication as a text entry in TMS
Catalogue essays
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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
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General Description
During the early periods of Greek history, pins were more necessary than ornamental, as they were used to keep the draped peplos in place. As fashions changed, pins were no longer needed, and they became very rare. The late Hellenistic period saw a revival of pins, not as dress fasteners, but as hair ornaments. Most pins were made from bone or ivory. The few known examples made in precious metal have a common structure of a shaft, a capital, and a figural miniature sculpture.
This pin with Aphrodite and Eros is a characteristic example: the golden shaft terminates in a Corinthian capital, which supports a small figural group on a square base, and Aphrodite leans with one arm on a herm, a pillar surmounted by a bust of the god Hermes. Helped by a little Eros, standing on her other side, she lifts her left foot to untie her sandal.
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; 142.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS
- added publication as a text entry in TMS
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
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
1991.75.71
source file
object_notes_4_a-0095.xml.nores