Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Necklace

200 BC-100 BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This necklace is consisting of a gold chain strung with garnet beads. By the Hellenistic period (323-27 BC) colours became an important aspect of Greek jewellery. To achieve colour, gold was often combined with gemstones, or glass imitations, like the two green glass beads on either side of the clasp of this necklace. Garnets were most popular, but emeralds, carnelian, rock crystal, agates, onyxes or lapis-lazuli were also used. The clasp on this necklace is in the shape a gold goat's head. Animal heads were also commonly used on earrings and on bracelet terminals.
This long necklace was probably worn accross the breast.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold with garnet and green glass
Brief description
Necklace, gold chain strung with garnet and green glass beads, the clasp decorated with the head of a goat, Greece, 3rd century BC.
Physical description
Necklace, consisting of a gold chain strung with garnet beads and two beads of green glass capped in gold; the clasp decorated with the head of a goat.
Dimensions
  • When fastened height: 20cm
  • Width: 2.7cm
  • Depth: 0.6cm
Style
Production
Said to have been found at Carystos, Euboea
Subject depicted
Summary
This necklace is consisting of a gold chain strung with garnet beads. By the Hellenistic period (323-27 BC) colours became an important aspect of Greek jewellery. To achieve colour, gold was often combined with gemstones, or glass imitations, like the two green glass beads on either side of the clasp of this necklace. Garnets were most popular, but emeralds, carnelian, rock crystal, agates, onyxes or lapis-lazuli were also used. The clasp on this necklace is in the shape a gold goat's head. Animal heads were also commonly used on earrings and on bracelet terminals.
This long necklace was probably worn accross the breast.
Collection
Accession number
305-1870

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Record createdApril 20, 2005
Record URL
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