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Massive Greek Mycenaean Bronze Armlets: X-Rare browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Ancient World:Greek:Bronze: Pre AD 1000: Item # 763998
Apolonia Ancient Art 290 Fillmore St. #D Denver, CO. 80206 303-321-7351 gallery Guest Book $8800.00 |
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| These massive Greek/Mycenaean bronze armlets date circa 1400-1100 B.C. and are extremely rare. Each of these striking armlets were cast as one piece, and are very heavy. These pieces were very valuable in antiquity, as a great deal of bronze went into these pieces, and only a wealthy individual and/or noble wore these pieces as a mark of rank and prestige. These pieces are approximately 3.6 inches in diameter by 2.6 inches high, and were likely worn by a very powerful male individual on the upper arm. These pieces also have some wear on the inner edges, which is a good indication that these armlets were worn over a great deal of time, possibly for the adult lifetime of the individual. The design of these armlets shows at each terminal end, two stylized rams heads with curled horns and dotted eyes, and these recessed dotted eyes are seen at the point where the curled horns connect. These recessed dotted eyes were probably inlaid with precious stones, ivory, or bone. Behind the stylized rams heads are three bands with chevrons within, and between these bands are wavy-line and connecting-spiral symbols. The connecting-spiral symbols are seen as early as the Early Cycladic period, circa 2800-2000 B.C., and are subsequently seen as a principle symbol of the Mycenaean Greek culture circa 1500-1200 B.C. ( For an example of this symbol seen during the Early Cycladic period see "Minoan and Mycenaean Art" by Reynold Higgins, Praeger Pub., New York, 1967, p.54. The example cited is a ceramic vase with incised connecting-spiral line decoration.) The wavy-line symbol is also seen on massive storage jars (pithoi) from Crete, circa 1900-1400 B.C. (Ibid, p.108-109.) These wavy-line designs, seen on these pithoi from Crete, are often seen between bands with chevron designs, and this is very analogous to the design seen on these bronze armlets. The wavy-line designs may also imitate the rope cradles which would have been used to transport these large pithoi which date from the fifteenth century B.C., and many of these examples can now be seen in the British Museum. (See attached photo of a pithoi from the palace of Knossos. Ibid, page 109.) Large scale Greek/Mycenaean bronze jewelry, such as these armlets, are much rarer than ceramics from this period, as bronze from this period was regarded as being very valuable, principally because it could be smelted into weapons. It is also probable that the bronze that went into these extremely rare armlets was from Cyprus, as Cyprus had a vibrant export trade in bronze during the period these armlets were produced circa 1400-1100 B.C., and the Greek/Mycenaean culture was present on Cyprus during this period as well. Waves of Achaeans from the Peloponnese settled in Cyprus circa 1200 B.C., and they brought with them a new style of potttery, new metallurgical techniques, and bronzework. Large scale bronze works were created circa 1200-1100 B.C., including tripod stands decorated with figures in relief, large cauldrons and situlae, and weapons of new types. A four-legged bronze stand, with a composite ring at the top that has a connecting-spiral pattern within, and stylized rams head with spiral horns seen above each leg, is now seen in the Cyprus Museum, Nicosia. This four-legged bronze stand dated 12th century B.C., has very analogous design elements relative to the massive bronze armlets that are offered here, and this leads to the conclusion that these armlets probably fit into this timeframe, but this does not reveal exactly where these extremely rare armlets were produced. However, the artistic style, the use of symbols that are seen on other known works of art, and the large scale size of these armlets does point to Cyprus as the place where these pieces were originally produced. (See "The Civilization of Prehistoric Cyprus", by Vassos Karageorghis, Alpine Fine Arts Pub., New York, 1983, page 210, no. 179. Also, see attached photo of the four-legged bronze stand.) These intact armlets have a superb emerald green patina with some heavy mineral deposits on the inner surfaces, and there is some spotty wear on the inner edges, and on one side on the outer edge of each armlet. The minor outer wear, seen on the one side of each armlet, also is a good indicater as to which arm each armlet was worn by the owner. These beautiful pieces also sit on custom stands and easily lift off each stand. These armlets are also solid enough to be worn today. Ex: Private German collection. I certify that these pieces are authentic as to date, culture, and condition: | ||
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