Western Asiatic Gold and Carnelian Pendant

A finely modelled Western Asiatic gold pendant featuring an oblong carnelian stone. The stone is held in place by four gold catches in the shape of an elongated leaf. There is a perforation at the base of the stone possibly suggesting that carnelian was originally a bead. An applied loop has been attached for suspension.

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, electrum and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Fine granulation, as we can see on this item, 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.

Dimensions: Circa L 1. 6cm

Weight: 1. 06 g

Provenance: Ex private Japanese gentleman collection 1970-2010.