Jewellery - Homeric World

Repoussé

• using a hammer and nail to hammer the inside of metal to make patterns, images pop out, giving it a sense of depth

key examples : virtually all of the metalwork objects

Inlay

A technique where one metal is put on top of another on an object.

key examples : Lion Hunt Dagger

Cloisonné

the soldering of a wire onto metal and then putting glass or gemstones in the soldered pattern.

Granulation

dropping molten metal onto an object to give a spotted effect.

Key examples : Lion Head Rhyton , Tiryns Signet Ring

Filigree

borders created by twisting metal wire and soldering them onto the object

Key Examples : Gold Pyxis

Why do they think that jewellery may have been worn by both men and women at Mycenae and Tiryns

Jewellery was found in both male and female graves, therefore suggesting both genders wore jewellery.

What are rings and beads commonly made from ?

Rings :

• gold

Beads :

• moulded from gold

• carved from :

  • gemstones

  • amber

  • ivory

  • a form of glass

What is a ring with an image engraved onto it’s surface ?

Signet ring

• They often show religous scenes

• although the precise meaning of these images are often unclear

• most common engravings are flowers + eagles

Signet ring of lion headed spirits offering to goddess on a throne

Date : 15th century BC

Location : Tiryns

Material : gold

details :

• goddess holds a cup with a hawk or eagle behind her - symbol of power ?

• Lion headed spirits carry long-necked jugs, perhaps some form of drink offering, libation

• Wheat in between the spirits - perhaps some sort of agriculture religious ritual.

• Sun and moon

Significance :

• Repousse technique, granulation - craftsmanship, skill

• evidence of religion and wealth

How do we know that beads were often worked into imaginative shapes at Mycenae ?

flower and eagle moulds were found at Mycenae, suggesting these shapes were made.

what were necklace beads made of and where did they come from ?

• gemstones

• rock crystal

• amber

• ivory

• glass

• lapis lazuli

Gold Pyxis

A pyxis is a small jewellery box

• it’s hexagonal and is covered in 12 small plates of gold with filigree borders

What is depicted :

• lions chasing deer and antelope through palm trees

• spiral patterns and heads of cattle - bulging eyes stand out

Usage :

store jewellery and certain cosmetics

Significance :

• evidence of wealth and prosperity

• evidence of great craftsmanship skill ( techniques : Repoussé, filigree )

• evidence of how jewellery was treated and how it was contained

• Evidence of beauty, aesthetics culture

Dating wood

• carbon dating

• dendrochronology - dating tree rings

Signet ring of hunting scene

Date : 16th century BC

Location : Grave Circle A, Mycenae

Significance :

• Jewellery

• metal work techniques

• evidence of hunting and weapons.

Where can we find more examples of Jewellery ?

Frescoes like :

• Mycenaean Lady holding a necklace

• Woman collecting Saffron ( Akrotiri )

• Fresco of Goddess

have examples of jewellery too…

if needed check Frescoes flashcard set