Pendants

  • 4th - 2nd century B.C.
  • Gold
Catalogue Entry

a : 4th century B.C. B-k : 3rd‐2nd century B.C.
Gold, lapis-lazuli, shell, crystal
(a)H. 1.9 cm, W. 1.4 cm(b)H. 1.6 cm, W. 1.3 cm
cH. 1.5 cm, W. 1.3 cm(d)H. 2.6 cm, W. 1.1 cm
(e)H. 2.0 cm, W. 1.5 cm(f)H. 1.8 cm, W. 2.1 cm
(g)H. 2.4 cm, W. 2.0 cm(h)H. 2.8 cm, W. 1.1 cm
(i)H. 2.7 cm, W. 1.4 cm(j)H. 1.9 cm, W. 1.6 cm
(k)H. 1.6 cm, W. 0.9 cm
(a) Upper part of a bearded, crowned figure with arms extended forward is shown inside a circular ring. The outer edge of the ring is decorated with a thickly fleshed petal design. One small ring is placed on the top of the unit, with two small rings placed below. The figure enclosed in this ring is frequently identified with Ahura Mazda, but there remains the question of whether or not this god would have been depicted in the Zoroastrian faith of the Achaemenid period. This could be a depiction of Khvarenah showing the divine grace of the king. This is an important motif in Achaemenid period jewelry as seen in the jewelry excavated at Susa and cat. No. 33.
(b), c These bird-shaped pendants are shown standing on platforms. The base of pendant c is a seal showing a running gazelle. This same type of pendant has been excavated at Ai Khanoum.
(d) Beaten gold sheets and gold wire have been used to form a pitcher-shaped pendant.
(e)-(g) Ketos sea monster and flower shaped pendants are attached to these jar-shaped pendants. Pendants f and g are missing the torso sections of their jars, with a disk of turquoise remaining in each as possible sections of the jars.
(h) Lapis lazuli and shell form the torso of this grain-shaped pendant, with flower petal designs in gold sheet and gold wire covering the top and bottom of the pendant.
(i) Large granular decoration has been attached to the top and bottom of a grain-shaped pendant hammered from a sheet of gold. Today the attachment section of the pendant is missing.
(j) An abacus bead shape decorated with granules is attached to a ring.
(k) A faceted crystal is attached to a gold ring.