HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.

This gold setting is characteristic of the Hellenistic period with its broad hoop, flat on the interior, slightly rounded on the exterior, expanding to the oval bezel. The sloping bezel has a raised band where it meets the flat, overhanging flange. The pointed convex oval carnelian set within the bezel is engraved with the goddess Artemis striding to the left. She wears a peplos in the archaistic style, the bottom edge of the overfold finishing in a broad zigzag. In her left hand she holds her dress out behind her, while in her right she hold her bow and arrow. For the pose and drapery compare the 1st century B.C. archaistic relief in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, where Artemis similarly holds the edge of her dress in one hand, a torch instead of her bow and arrows in the other (no. 162 in C.C. Vermeule, Greek and Roman Sculpture in America).