Hellenistic Greek Gold and Garnet Pendant, 3rd–1st Century BCE

Description

Ancient Greek jewelry was distinct and beautiful, with designs that are still relevant today.  This delicate pendant is a superb example of the exquisite workmanship found in Greek Hellenistic gold jewelry.  Here a spherical garnet bead is capped by intricate filigree petals and beaded wire in high karat gold.  A modern chain of 18K gold has been added to complete this wearable and gorgeous necklace.

Condition: The pendant is intact and in very good condition overall.
Dimensions: 

Pendant size: 12 mm (1/2 inch). Strung as a necklace on an 18-inch modern gold chain.

Provenance: The John J. Slocum private collection of ancient art. Mr. Slocum (1914-1997) collected most of his antiquities while serving as US cultural attaché to Egypt in the 1960s. Later, he served as Assistant to the Director of The Smithsonian, was appointed by President Reagan to the Presidential Cultural Property Advisory Committee, and was a Trustee Emeritus of the Archaeological Institute of America. He was a well-respected scholar/collector, whose medieval crusader coins were sold in a single-owner sale at Sotheby’s, London in 1997.