Object Description
A fine Greek, Hellenistic, gold amphora-type pendant, decorated with stylised handles in the form of undulating dolphins. At it’s centre, and forming the core of its drop feature, is a cylindrical coral bead, followed by a circular pearl bead, and terminating in a small aubergine conical glass bead. The body terminates in a thin gold disc and is held in place by a concave, flattened conical foot decorated with a ribbed wire around its perimeter. Beautiful iridescence can be seen on the aubergine glass bead. The pendant is further embellished with two dolphins, finely modelled in gold, one at each side of the suspension loop, creating the handles of the amphora. Fine detailing has been added to the dolphin’s fins and tail. A further gold loop has been added in antiquity to the top. The pearl bead is pierced horizontally, suggesting that such pendants may have been adapted from an earring in ancient times, with the suspension loop modelled from ancient gold. This beautiful item of jewellery testifies to the extreme quality of Greek Hellenistic goldsmiths.
Date: Circa 2nd – 1st Century BC