Necklace (Pectoral)
First half of the 4th century BC
Greek work
Gold, enamel; diam 18.4 cm
This necklace, of original form,
technique and decoration, was found
during excavations of the Bolshaya
Bliznitsa burial mound in 1868. It is part
of the attire of a Bosporan priestess to
Demeter, goddess of fertility. The open
work frieze, consisting of a row of rams,
goats, dogs and hares soldered
together, is inserted between two bands
of egg-and dart ornament and twisted
wires. The necklace ends in lions'
heads, and the details are finished with
granulations and engraving; the leaves
and flowers are encrusted with blue
enamel. Each of the figures, executed
almost in the round, was fashioned
separately and mounted on transverse
bars. The pectoral was probably created
by a Bosporan goldsmith in the late
Greek Classical tradition.
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