Gold diadem
Unknown Artist
4th century BCE
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
7/8in. (2.2cm) Other: 8 1/8in. (20.7cm) Other (Height (in center)): 1 7/16in. (3.6cm) Other (General height): 7/8in. (2.2cm)
Classification
Gold and Silver
Culture & Period
Greek · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.3535
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold diadem, crafted in the 4th century BCE during Greece's Classical period, exemplifies the refined artistry of ancient Hellenic jewelers. Measuring about 8 inches in length and under an inch in height, with a slightly arched center rising to 1.4 inches, it was designed to encircle the wearer's brow like a delicate crown. Fashioned from hammered and repoussé gold, its surface features intricate palmette motifs—stylized palm leaves that evoke fertility, victory, and divine protection, common in Greek decorative arts from temples to pottery. Diadems like this were status symbol...