1991.75.66.a-b, Two segments of a diadem, Greece, Late 3rd-2nd century B.C.E., gold

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

From an early period in Greek history, ornamented bands made from sheet gold were worn around the head. These diadems varied from simple gold or silver bands to pieces with stamped and applied decorations. Three pieces in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art illustrate the development of the Greek diadem from the Archaic to the Hellenistic periods: an Archaic gold band with separately made rosettes [1991.75.38], a Classic Greek diadem with an ornamental frieze [1991.75.54], and an elaborate, three-dimensional diadem [1991.75.75] that embodies the Hellenistic style.

Here are two curved gold tubes, tapering slightly toward one end, that originally formed part of a diadem made in the Hellenistic Greek style. The inside flat and plain, the surface of the convex outside is completely covered with exquisite filigree and granules. Each tube is divided into decorative sections wowing filigree net, palmettes, a wreath of applied leaves, palmettes again, heart-shaped ornaments encircling palmettes, and three rows of different tongues. There would originally have been an ornament between the segments.

Many diadems have been found in Greek tombs dating to the 6th century BCE and continuing through the Roman period (2nd century BCE). The diadems could have been worn in life at banquets, as victors' prizes in war or athletic competitions, or on religious or civic occasions, but their burial defined a different kind of triumph.

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), 17; 142.

NOTES

updated provenance and geo x refs 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 1991.75.66.a-b

General Description

From an early period in Greek history, ornamented bands made from sheet gold were worn around the head. These diadems varied from simple gold or silver bands to pieces with stamped and applied decorations. Three pieces in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art illustrate the development of the Greek diadem from the Archaic to the Hellenistic periods: an Archaic gold band with separately made rosettes [1991.75.38], a Classic Greek diadem with an ornamental frieze [1991.75.54], and an elaborate, three-dimensional diadem [1991.75.75] that embodies the Hellenistic style.

Here are two curved gold tubes, tapering slightly toward one end, that originally formed part of a diadem made in the Hellenistic Greek style. The inside flat and plain, the surface of the convex outside is completely covered with exquisite filigree and granules. Each tube is divided into decorative sections wowing filigree net, palmettes, a wreath of applied leaves, palmettes again, heart-shaped ornaments encircling palmettes, and three rows of different tongues. There would originally have been an ornament between the segments.

Many diadems have been found in Greek tombs dating to the 6th century BCE and continuing through the Roman period (2nd century BCE). The diadems could have been worn in life at banquets, as victors' prizes in war or athletic competitions, or on religious or civic occasions, but their burial defined a different kind of triumph.

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), 17; 142.

Fun Facts

Archival Resources

Web Resources

Notes