GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Buried with ingots of gold (1991.75.92.5, 1991.75.92.6), this unfinished bracelet was part of a goldsmith's cache discovered in Rome. The burial dates to the 1st century B.C.E., 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. This bracelet and other gold pieces (1991.75.92.1, 1991.75.92.2.1, 1991.75.92.3) were found buried together. This small, unfinished snake bracelet was found cut into two, possibly rejected because of its strange proportions. The hoop was likely severed into two parts by a sharp blow, in all probability with the intention of reusing the gold.
Snake bracelets like this were not only personal ornaments, but also amulets. Probably for this reason they are one of the few naturalistic motifs that continued to be popular long after the decline of the Greek world.
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
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 1991.75.92.4.a-b
Category
rules_operator
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General Description
Buried with ingots of gold (1991.75.92.5, 1991.75.92.6), this unfinished bracelet was part of a goldsmith's cache discovered in Rome. The burial dates to the 1st century B.C.E., 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. This bracelet and other gold pieces (1991.75.92.1, 1991.75.92.2.1, 1991.75.92.3) were found buried together. This small, unfinished snake bracelet was found cut into two, possibly rejected because of its strange proportions. The hoop was likely severed into two parts by a sharp blow, in all probability with the intention of reusing the gold.
Snake bracelets like this were not only personal ornaments, but also amulets. Probably for this reason they are one of the few naturalistic motifs that continued to be popular long after the decline of the Greek world.
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
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
1991.75.92.4.a-b
source file
object_notes_4_a-0004.xml.nores