Greek Jewellery
Jewellery in the Prehistoric Aegean
| The jewellery from the two Grave Circles at Mycenae is plentiful and splendid. Diadems of fine sheet gold (Fig. 5), some very large, with repousse decoration. Gold cruciform cut-outs; various gold cut-outs in the shape of animals, birds, octopuses, butterflies, leaves etc. (Fig. 8); gold discs embossed or engraved with octopus, butterfly, geometric and other motifs (Figs 7-8); all these were most probably seven onto luxurious garments. Pins of gold, silver or bronze, with gold finial or spherical head of rock crystal, ivory or gilded wood, worn on the chest, in the diadems or the hair. Large lunate or heart-shaped earrings (Fig. 9). |
| Fig 12 Necklaces of gold relief beads in the shape of ivy leaf and rosette. From the Tholos Tomb at Dendra. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, 7354, 7342). Late 15th century BC. |
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Bracelets or armlets and heavy belts of a single sheet of gold with repousse decoration. Gold signet-rings (Fig.l0). Gold strips delicately engraved with geometric patterns that invested bone buttons. Necklace beads and pendants in diverse shapes, mainly of gold and amber, as well as semi-precious stones such as sard, amethyst and rock crystal. Many of the jewellery types from the Grave Circles at Mycenae, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins, are depicted in the wall-paintings from Akrotiri, Thera, that are dated to the second half of the sixteenth century BC. |
| Fig. 13 Pair of gold earrings. They have an outer ring with repousse foliate decoration and a rosette inside the ring. From Chamber Tomb 10 at Dendra. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, 8745). End of 15th century BC. |
| From the middle of the fifteenth century BC onwards, when Mycenaean dominance was gradually established throughout the Aegean, the principal types of ornaments were gold necklace relief beads and pendants, as well as rings, Frequently of gold and more rarely of silver, bronze and lead. The Mycenaeans also fashioned beads from semi-precious stones such as agate, sard, amethyst, rock crystal and steatite (Fig.15), as well as from faience and glass. | 
| Fig 14 Necklace of gold relief beads in the form of papyrus lily and of half rosette. From Chamber Tomb 10 at Dendra. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, 8748). End of 15th century BC. |