GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Buried with ingots of gold (1991.75.92.5, 1991.75.92.6), this bracelet (the mate to 1991.75.92.2.1) was part of a goldsmith's cache discovered in Rome. The burial dates to the 1st century BCE and nicely illustrates the transition from Hellenistic to Roman jewelry. The group is impressive for its total weight of nearly 746 grams, and it also allows a rare glimpse into the work of a Roman goldsmith. These bracelets and other gold pieces (1991.75.92.1, 1991.75.92.3, 1991.75.92.4.a-b) were found buried together.
Each bracelet in this pair consists of 3 spirally wound, strong gold wires. At both extremities, the wires have been forged into a single strand, tapering tward the end. The overlapping ends are coiled around the hoop, forming a strong clasp. The purely abstract design of these spiral bracelets present a new concept in jewelry that is completely different from the Greek aesthetic. Shape and design are no longer determined by a decorative motif, but by the beauty of the material.
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), 108; 144.
NOTES
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS
- added publication as a text entry in TMS
- *There are two separate object files, and two separate TMS entries for this, even though the bracelets are a pair and belong together as a virtual object. The V.O. link was inactive so I made 2 object notes.
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
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- In ancient Greece, bracelets were always and only worn in pairs.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.92.2.2
Category
rules_operator
AND
General Description
Buried with ingots of gold (1991.75.92.5, 1991.75.92.6), this bracelet (the mate to 1991.75.92.2.1) was part of a goldsmith's cache discovered in Rome. The burial dates to the 1st century BCE and nicely illustrates the transition from Hellenistic to Roman jewelry. The group is impressive for its total weight of nearly 746 grams, and it also allows a rare glimpse into the work of a Roman goldsmith. These bracelets and other gold pieces (1991.75.92.1, 1991.75.92.3, 1991.75.92.4.a-b) were found buried together.
Each bracelet in this pair consists of 3 spirally wound, strong gold wires. At both extremities, the wires have been forged into a single strand, tapering tward the end. The overlapping ends are coiled around the hoop, forming a strong clasp. The purely abstract design of these spiral bracelets present a new concept in jewelry that is completely different from the Greek aesthetic. Shape and design are no longer determined by a decorative motif, but by the beauty of the material.
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), 108; 144.
Fun Facts
- In ancient Greece, bracelets were always and only worn in pairs.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- updated provenance and geo x refs in TMS
- added publication as a text entry in TMS
- *There are two separate object files, and two separate TMS entries for this, even though the bracelets are a pair and belong together as a virtual object. The V.O. link was inactive so I made 2 object notes.
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
1991.75.92.2.2
source file
object_notes_3_c-0189.xml.nores