Greek Jewellery
Ancient Greek Jewellery
| In the seventh century BC new centres of goldworking appeared in the Aegean islands, where the arts of sculpture and pottery-making were already, flourishing. Alongside Crete, Melos, Thera, and Rhodes can boast veritable masterpieces. |
| Fig 3 Gold necklace from Spata. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, XP 1041, 6435). 8th century BC. |
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The gold plaque with pre-dedalic figures, recovered from the Idaian. Cave (fig. 6), attests the continuity of the Cretan workshop in the early seventh century BC. The pectoral plaques with representation of the mistress of beasts or dedalic protomes were fashioned in the Rhodian workshop. The famous rosettes from Melos (fig. 7), their petals embellished with flowers, griffins, insects, birds and bull heads executed in granulation and filigree technique, bespeak the existence of some major local workshop, while the "bees" from Thera (fig. 8), with the dedalic head so harmoniously attuned to the insect's body, also merit attention. |
| Fig. 4 Pair of earrings from Eleusis. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, 10960). 8th century BC. |
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| Fig. 5 Gold plaques from a pectoral ornament with filigree, granulation and amber inlay. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, XP. 147). 8th century BC. |
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| Fig. 6 Gold plaque from the Idaian Cave, Crete. (Athens, National Archaeological Museum, XP. 674). Early 7th century BC. |