Greeks on the Black Sea: Ancient Art from the Hermitage Is from Tombs, Both Those in Cemeteries and Those Within Burial Mounds

ANCIENT JEWELRY FROM THE BLACK SEA

The jewelry featured in Greeks on the Black Sea: Ancient Art from the Hermitage is from tombs, both those in cemeteries and those within burial mounds. These artificially created hills are visible in the landscape of the northern Black Sea region today. Jewelry was a major component of the luxury objects imported and produced in the northern Black Sea area. While jewelry makers followed the traditions of Greek methods longer than the producers of other forms of art in antiquity, the influence of local practices was clearly evident starting in the Hellenistic period. Jewelry from this region is notable for its sumptuousness, the complexity of its designs, and the wealth of decorative detailing on even the smallest pieces.

Jewelry from the Kul Oba Burial Mound The Kul Oba Burial Mound was discovered on September 19, 1830, just west of Pantikapaion (present-day Kerch) in the region of the Bosporan Kingdom. This find marked the beginning of czarist interest in sponsoring systematic excavations in the northern Black Sea area.

This earring is very light for its size, it weighs a third of an ounce. Unknown The key to its lightness is the fact that the boat-shaped pendant Earring with a Boat-Shaped Pendant and Figures of Nike Greek, about 350 B.C.; found in the Kul Oba burial mound and dangling seed-like elements are not solid gold—they are Gold with blue and green enamel. Object: H: 9.1 x Diam. (disc): 2.2 x W (overall):4 x D: 2 cm (3 9/16 x 7/8 x 1 9/16 x hollow. A special technique called granuation was used to 13/16 in.) State Hermitage Museum. Saint-Petersburg, Russia, KO.7 (AB3 504), achieve the sparkling texture in the seeds, pendant, and border VEX.2007.2.124 Cat.142 of the rosette disk.

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This bracelet was discovered on the wrist of a male skeleton; it has been called the most majestic of Greek bracelets because of the fine workmanship and the masterful modeling of the two Sphinxes. Meticulous details include jewelry on the Sphinxes, veins on their underbellies, and individual feathers in their wings.

Jewelry from the Yuz Oba Burial Mound

Yuz Oba means “one hundred hills” in the Tatar language, Unknown Bracelet with Sphinxes Greek, 400 - 350 B.C.; found in the referring to a series of burial mounds running east to west just Kul Oba burial mound. Gold, blue and green enamel and bronze. Object: H: 10.2 x W: 10.5 x D: 1.5 cm south of Pantikapaion (present-day Kerch). The tombs were 4 x 4 1/8 x 9/16 in.). State Hermitage Museum. constructed to hold the bodies of the local Bosporan and Scythian Saint-Petersburg, Russia, KO.19 (AB3 510), VEX.2007.2.125 Cat. 140 aristocracy; their contents reflect both Greek and Scythian

customs. Many of the mounds were excavated in the 1850s and

1860s. Most of the unplundered graves contained objects dating

to the fourth century B.C., when the Bosporan Kingdom was at its

height in terms of wealth and influence.

This ring is less than an inch wide, and is one of the most famous pieces of ancient jewelry in the world. Although ancient gems are rarely signed, a minuscule Greek inscription below the flying heron proclaims that “Dexamenos of Chios made it.” The letters are as delicately carved as the heron, and the signature itself is an integral part of the gem’s design. Even today, Dexamenos’ skill remains unsurpassed.

Ring with a Gem Engraved with a Flying Heron Greek, 450 - 400 B.C.; found in the Yuz Oba burial mound. Gold and pale blue chalcedony. Signed by Dexamenos of Chios (Greek, active about 450 - 425 B.C.) Object: H: 2.2 x W: 1.7 cm (7/8 x 11/16 in.) GH (hoop and stone): 5 cm. State Hermitage Museum. Saint-Petersburg, Russia, YuO.24 (AB3 541), VEX.2007.2.122 Cat. 154

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Jewelry from the Cemetery of Chersonesos Located in a fertile plain not far from a large harbor, the colony of Chersonesos lay at the southwestern end of the Crimea, on the edge of the present-day city of Sevastopol. In 1899, during the investigation of the city walls, a tomb was discovered in the foundation layer. The burial chamber’s location and unusually rich contents suggest that it belonged to a family connected with the construction of the fortifications.

Cabochons of various precious and semiprecious gems are set into gold to form this luxurious necklace with a pendant. Commonly called butterflies, pendants of this type also bear a strong resemblance to queen bees; the element protruding from the tail looks like a stinger.

Unknown Necklace with a Butterfly Pendant Eastern Mediterranean, 1st century A.D.; found in the cemetery of Chersonesos. Gold, emerald, garnet, amethyst, rock crystal, pearl, and glass. Object: L: 30.5 x GH: 10 cm (12 x 3 15/16 in.) State Hermitage Museum. Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Ch.1896.18, VEX.2007.2.42 Cat. 41