A ROMAN GOLD AND GARNET WREATH

CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.

Details

A ROMAN GOLD AND GARNET WREATH
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
Composed of a sheet gold ribbon with tapered and pierced ends, decorated with an arrangment of triple lanceolate leaves with raised midribs, the central triple-tiered rosette set with cabochon oval garnet with beaded wire border
12 in. (30.5 cm.) long

Provenance

Private collection, Germany; acquired prior to 1992.

Lot Essay

For a similar wreath in the Shelby White and Leon Levy collection cf. D. Williams (ed.), The Art of the Greek Goldsmith, London, 1998, p. 88, pl. 11.6, where it is noted that 'Wreaths of thin gold leaf like this are commonplace in burials of the Greek Hellenistic and Roman Imperial period throughout the Mediterranean world. A standard feature is the arrangement of leaves in threes facing a central rosette.'

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