Achaemenid Silver Torqs, Gold Ram Head Finials (pr)

**Originally Listed At $1800**

Ancient Near East, Achaemenid Persian Empire, ca. 550 to 330 BCE. A pair of elegant cast silver torqs (torques) with gold ram's head terminals, the precious metals of very high quality - 95% gold (equivalent to 22K+) and 98% silver. Each ram head is a beautiful work of art on its own - presenting curled horns above naturalistic faces comprised of almond-shaped eyes, perky ears, and pronounced snouts - all finely delineated in repousse. The silver torques are solid and present an attractive twisted pattern. Size: torqs measure 13.5" L (34.3 cm) and 13" L (33 cm); both approximately measure ~4" L x 4.5" W (10.2 cm x 11.4 cm) from exterior to exterior point. Precious metal quality: 95% gold (equivalent to 22K+) and 98% silver; total weight: ~48 grams

The Achaemenid love of silver and gold was famous throughout the ancient world. Plato wrote of how the acquisition of gold and silver was considered a virtue while Alcibiades, another Athenian, wrote of the enormous wealth in gold and silver that the Persians had. In a society where flaunting wealth was important, torcs made of silver and gold like these would have been prized possessions, demonstrating the high social status of the owner.

Provenance: private California, USA collection, purchased by the present owner's mother in Iran in the 1950s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#149130
Condition Report: The torques present expected bending and nice age patina. Some indentations and wear to the gold ram heads that are commensurate with age, but all four still present nice details and forms.