Greek Jewellery
Byzantine Jewellery


In the early centuries of the Christian era types and designs of Late Antiquity were used indiscriminately by pagans and Christians alike. Gradually these evolved, being remodelled in new forms and enriched with subjects appropriate to the Christian faith. Representations of Christ, the Virgin Mary, angels and saints, as well as the cross, acquired a prominent position in jewellery too. Symbolic and allegorical. themes - the peacock for immortality, the tree for life, and a host of others - breathed anew in the finely drawn mesh of floral, faunal and geometric decoration, with meanings that allude to the Christian vocabulary. Inscriptions, invocations and blessings, in niello on. gold and silver, recorded the pious expectations of the owners, who inscribed on rings their monogram in the shape of the cross. On the nuptial ornaments Christ appears crowning and protecting the bride and groom, who flank him right and left.
Fig. 5 Pair of gold 'basket' earrings. Early Byzantine period. The projecting pyramidal corners of the small cuboid 'baskets' are densely covered with granulation. The five facets are embellished with hemispherical eyed knots in granulation and filigree techniques. The earrings are distinguished for their absolute symmetry and delicate execution. Athens, P. and A. Canellopoulos Museum. inv. no 135a, b.H. 4.2cm. H. of 'basket' 1.9cm.

Fig. 6 Athens, Byzantine Museum. Gold chain from Kratigo, Mytilene. Central crescentic pendant with representation of heraldic peacocks. Length: 95cm. 7th century.

Fig. 7 Bronze religuary cross engraved on the front with a bust of Christ Pantocrator. On the back the inscription: A.KÙÍCTANTHNOC, probably the namesake and patron saint of the owner. 10th-11th century. Athens, Benaki Museum, inv.no 11412. Dimensions: 10 X 5.7cm.


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