Necklace
600-300 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
1929.8.175.17
Art Historical Context
This exquisite necklace, dating from 600-300 B.C., exemplifies the artistry of ancient jewelry-making, a craft that blended functionality with profound cultural symbolism. Crafted by an artisan, it belongs to the Decorative Arts-Jewelry in the Smithsonian American Art's collection, generously gifted by collector John Gellatly. pieces were more than mere adornments; they often signified social status, spiritual beliefs, or rites of passage in ancient societies, showcasing the wearer's wealth and connections to the divine. The necklace's creation during this era—spanning the late Archaic to ear...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –