Western Asiatic Gold Pendant with Agate Bead

A lovely Western Asiatic gold pendant with an agate bead. The fine gold sheet sleeve holds in place a yellow and cream coloured banded agate bead, with curved sides and flattened terminal. A small gold loop has been added at the top for suspension. The agate has a vertical perforation suggesting it was originally a bead. It has been reset into this pendant at some point throughout its history and some residue of glue can be seen in the interior of the gold sleeve.

Many grand civilizations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes. Gold and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Very fine granulation along with filigree, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.

Measurements: L 1. 15cm x W 0. 50cm

Weight: 0. 36g

Provenance: Collection of a deceased Japanese collector, 1970-2015.