Greek Jewellery

Significant innovations in Greek jewellery can be traced to Alexander the Great’s conquests, which introduced Ancient Greek artists to new styles and materials. The Greek tradition of carving gemstones emerged under Minoan influence on mainland Helladic culture, and reached an apogee of subtlety and refinement in the Hellenistic period.

Gold hair ornament and net, 3rd c. BC. (c) Giovanni Dall’Orto

Wreaths

One unusual form of Greek jewellery was intricate and very delicate gold wreaths imitating plant-forms, worn on the head.

  • Golden wreath, c. 370-360 BC, from southern Italy.
    Golden wreath, c. 370-360 BC, from southern Italy. (c) Usien
  • Fragment of a gold wreath, c. 320-300 BC, from a burial in Crimea.
    Fragment of a gold wreath, c. 320-300 BC, from a burial in Crimea. (c) Claire H

Intaglios

Intaglios were gemstones that were cut into and gave a negative relief. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in Ancient Greece and intaglios were mounted onto necklaces and rings.

Apollonios of Athens, gold ring with portrait in garnet, c. 220 BC. Walters Art Museum.
1. Carnelian intaglio with the head of Medusa, 3rd-1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
2. Amethyst intaglio of a griffin attacking a deer, 4th c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
3. Carnelian intaglio of dog chewing a bone, 5th c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
4. Chalcedony intaglio of a woman, 2nd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
5. Banded agate intaglio of Dionysus, 4th-3rd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.
6. arnelian intaglio of lion attacking a deer, 4th c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Arts.

Cameos

Cameos seem to have reached Ancient Greece around the 3rd c. BC, as the conquests of Alexnader the Great opened up new trade routes. Unfortunately, very few examples have survived.

The Gonzaga cameo, 3rd c. BC, depicting Ptolemy II Philadelphus and his wife, Arsinoe II. Hermitage Museum. (c) Sailko
The Cup of the Ptolemies, c. 250 BC, decorated with Dionysiac vignettes and emblems. (c) Clio20

Bracelets & Armbands

Set of two gold Triton armbands, c. 200 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
1. Gold armband with Herakles knot, 3rd-2nd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Gold and glass bracelet with central medallion, 2nd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. Pair of bracelets with rock crystal hoops and gold rams’ heads, c. 330-300 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Earrings

Pair of gold earrings with an Egyptian Atef crown set with stones and glass, 3rd-2nd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
1. Gold earrings with disk and boat-shaped pendant, c. 300 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Gold, beryl, and garnet earring with head of a dolphin, 2nd-1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. Pair of gold earrings with a disk and Eros, c. 300 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
4. Gold and amber earrings with head of a Nubian, c. 200-100 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
5. Gold earring with four relief faces, 4th-3rd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
6. Gold and beryl earring, 2nd-1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
7. Gold and glass earring with head of a dolphin, 2nd-1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8. Pair of gold, garnet, enamel, and glass earrings, 2nd c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Headpieces

1. Gold cross-strap diadem with a Herakles knot set with five garnets, c. 300-250 BC, found in a tomb on Ithaca. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Gold openwork hairnet with medallion of Maenad, c. 200-150 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. Pediment-shaped gold diadem, c. 330-300 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Jewellery Sets

1. The Ganymede set, c. 330-300 BC, from Macedonia. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Jewellery set from Madytos, c. 330-300 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3. Jewellery set, 1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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