Necklace
600-500 B.C.
Medium
Decorative Arts-Jewelry
Classification
Decorative Arts-Jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly
Accession Number
1929.8.175.9
Art Historical Context
Step back in time over 2,500 years to behold this exquisite *Necklace* from 600-500 B.C., a rare gem in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection of decorative arts. Craft during an era of burgeoning ancient civilizations—think the Archaic period of Greece or early Mediterranean cultures—this unidentified masterpiece exemplifies the artistry of ancient jewelry. Such adornments were more than mere accessories; they symbolized status, protection, and cultural identity, often worn by elites in rituals or daily life. The necklace's medium highlights the sophistication of prehistoric jewelry-...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –