Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, from the Black Sea region, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous crescent-shaped high percentage silver (98%) pectoral. The sides are crimped to form a lace-like border. Applied rigaree forms a border inside the crimping, four spirals, and forms an interior border around the face of Minerva. Her face in relief sits at the center of the pectoral, staring out at the viewer from large, almond-shaped eyes. Two small rings, one at either pointed end of the crescent form, allowed the piece to be worn. In Roman times, it was probably worn close to the neck, as the choker style was popular with wealthy Roman women. Size: 5.8" W x 1.55" H (14.7 cm x 3.9 cm); 39.7 grams

Minerva, goddess of poetry, wisdom, and warfare, was celebrated in Rome as a more peaceful goddess than Athena was in Greece; she was often depicted with her sword lowered to indicate sympathy for the battle dead. This pectoral may have been made to remind its wearer of worshipping her at the Capitoline Hill, at the Temple of Minerva Medica, of any one of the smaller shrines dedicated to her.

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#139978

  • Condition: Excellent preservation of form and motifs, with some dark, matte patina on the surface.

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November 8, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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