Loading, please wait...

Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0542

Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop

5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.

1 in. (2.29 grams, 26 mm).

Composed of a bifacial zoomorphic body in the form of a bird, with detailing to the head and feathers; circular cell to one face containing possible remains of black glass; two dangles below, one featuring a granulated gold bead above a pearl bead, the other a granulated gold bead and a polished garnet stone; ribbed suspension loop above; a marriage.

Provenance

Acquired 1970-2010.
Collection of a late Japanese gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Ogden, J. and Williams, D., Greek Gold: Jewelry Of The Classical World, New York, 1994, p.79, for a similar animal form produced as an appliqué and dated 5th century B.C.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0542

Greek Gold Bird Pendant with Garnet and Pearl Drop

Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Etruscan Tinned Bronze Armoured Belt Hook
    Etruscan Tinned Bronze Armoured Belt Hook
    6th-5th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £46

    Composed of a scalloped foliate plate and tapering neck, displaying geometric and foliate detailing. 26 grams, 11.7 cm



    Acquired in the 1970s. Private collection of a London antiquarian.

    Lot Details

  • Eastern Greek Carnelian Scarab Seal
    Eastern Greek Carnelian Scarab Seal
    6th-5th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200

    Modelled with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, the base displaying a battle showing a mature and muscular naked man grappling with a winged gryphon; drilled for suspension. 2.29 grams, 16 mm



    Ex F.A., Brussels, 1980. Private collection of a London antiquarian.

    Combat between a man and gryphon is a well-attested subject matter on Greek scarabs. A faience factory was found in Naukratis by Flinders-Petrie, with innumerable faience and discarded moulds. The motifs on the bottom surface are repetitive and hurriedly worked. They depict lucky symbols or representative subjects (lions with sun disc, ibex, Horus falcons, lotus flowers); such motifs had already been adopted into Greek art but are generally considered typically Egyptian. Here the subject of a fight against a gryphon is Greek, although the style of the fighting character seems Phoenician, which points to Eastern Mediterranean workmanship, possibly on the Island of Rhodes.

    Lot Details

  • Early Cypriot Terracotta Bottle
    Early Cypriot Terracotta Bottle
    Bronze Age, circa 2300-1650 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040

    Black burnished with rounded underside, incised pattern of roundels and linear bands to shoulder and neck, flared rim. 142 grams, 11.5 cm high



    From the collection of Mr Leinonen, by descent to his son, Stan Leinonen.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list