Hellenistic Gold Amphora Pendant

3rd-2nd century BC. An amphora pendant comprising a barrel-shaped coral bead with gold caps, the upper with scrolled handles and granulated bands, the lower with filigree and granule cluster. See Despini, A., Greek Art. Ancient Gold Jewellery, Athens, 1996. 5.59 grams, 36.8mm (1 1/4"). From the private collection of a London businessman; acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. The pendant would have formed a part of a large high-quality necklace. In the ancient Greek world, pendants displayed a remarkable variety of shapes and forms. The necklaces with amphora-shaped pendants hanging from a mesh of chains and embellished with floral relief, granular and filigree decoration were popular throughout the 3rd and into the 2nd century BC. A very nice example from the 4th century BC can be seen in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Condition Report: Fine condition.