Flowers and Leaves

5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
(a) H. 7.1 cm (b) H. 3.6 cm, W. 4.9 cm
c H. 1.2-3.9 cm, W. 1.0 cm (d) H. 0.5-0.8 cm
(a) Gold sheet and wire has been used to form laurel leaf-shaped forms. The veining is incised on the leaves. This form is thought to have been one section of a laurel leaf crown.
(b) A gold sheet has been rounded to form a flower stamen, and gold sheets have been pressed into flower petals to create an entire three-dimensional flower form. This form is thought to have been used as a lamp, with a fire element placed at the point of the flower's central stamen.
c, (d) Pendant with plant-motif decorations. Works c are ivy leaves made of gold sheet and gold wire, while works d are flowers made of gold sheet and gold wires and decorated with fine dotting. These are thought to have been used in the diadems found in Greek style fine metalwork.