Details

LOT 0272

Achaemenid Gold Inlaid Lotus Flower Pendant Set

5TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.

3/4 - 1 in. (10 7/8 x 11 in.) (36.60 grams total, 18-26 mm (case: 1 kg total, 27.5 x 28 cm)).

Comprising twelve pendants, each formed as an open lotus blossom with the parts of the flower inlaid with different semiprecious stones: the pistil in red carnelian, stamens and the base of the flower in turquoise, and the outer petals in lapis lazuli; accompanied by a custom-made velvet-lined display case. [12]

Provenance

with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12170-220647.

Literature

Cf. Carter, M.L., Goldstein, S., Harper, P.O., Kawami, T.S., Meyers, P., Splendors of the Ancient East, Antiquities from the al-Sabah collection, London, 2013, for a pendant in shape of a gold button in similar style; Kantor, J., Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol.16, no.1, Jan.1957, pp.1-23, for a general discussion on Achaemenid jewellery.

Footnotes

The wealth of the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids was proclaimed by the ancient writers: the Greeks described the fabulous riches known by hearsay to be in the royal treasures, and described the gold furniture, vessels and jewellery often seen during Hellenic contacts with this Eastern Empire. These elegant lotus-shaped pendants with their multicoloured stone inlays give us some idea of the personal ornamentation carried by the aristocratic Persian women.