A spectacular collection of ancient jewellery from four cultures, including a Greek necklace linked to Aphrodite and a Viking pendant of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, is expected to fetch record prices when it comes to sale with Timeline Auctions on June 3-7.
Jewellery was made, worn, offered, gifted, buried, stolen, appreciated, and lost across generations and classes. Almost every ancient society adorned itself with a variety of embellishments, including rings, earrings, bracelets, pectorals, necklaces, crowns, girdles, and amulets. Just as fashion changes in current times, it has done the same in past times.
During the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (ca. 2055-1650 BCE), purple amethyst was the rage, while glass was used in some 18th-dynasty royal and elite jewellery, such as King Tutankhamun’s pectorals and inlaid mummy mask.
Aaron Hammond of Timeline Auctions says, “People really love ancient jewellery, so there’s a strong market for it. The blend of design, craftsmanship, and artistic value makes jewellery a particularly vibrant and growing category at auction.”
The value of these items lies as much in the gold and gems used as in the craftsmanship and also the extraordinary provenance of each piece; a small miracle of survival through the centuries when they will have passed from hand to hand, generation to generation.
Aaron Hammond says most of these items will go to serious collectors, and few will be worn as intended from all those years ago.
Lot 0364: The finest example of Viking craftsmanship, most likely worn on the chest of an ancient warrior. This Hammer of Thor is estimated to sell for £10,000 – £14,000. This is a Scandinavian Viking silver gilt Thor’s hammer pendant from the 9th Century AD.
A Roman Aquamarine gemstone ring (above) with the portrait of Emperor Septimus Severus carved into the gem and set in silver and gold, 3rd Century AD. Estimate £8,000 – £10,000.
When compared to contemporary coinage bearing the Emperor’s likeness, it confirms that it is indeed Septimus Severus with his prominent nose, chin, curly hair and forked tip beard, 193-211 AD. It conveys the strong character of the commander who led the Roman army to victory in Europe and the Middle East.
Above is an ancient Greek necklace for an important lady. The estimate is £5,000- £7,000. Eastern Greek gold pendant necklace with agate drops, circa 3rd Century AD. The three floral rosettes were one of the most popular jewellery motifs in ancient tomes because of the scent of roses and their association with Aphrodite.
Lot 0183 estimate £4,000- £6,000. A Roman bloodstone intaglio with Horus, Osiris and Ouroboros, 2nd -3rd Century. This intaglio represents the Egyptian myth of Osiris, with the mummy of the god resting above the snake Ouroboros and surmounted by his son, the falcon god Horus, who is a star above.
Ancient gemstones are beautiful and often worn by ancient elites, adorning statues, used as protective talismans, official signatures for wax Impressions, or given as gifts and tokens of loyalty.
Lot 0113, with an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000. Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, is often portrayed as a winged youth. In ancient Greek symbolism, the turtle is associated with various attributes such as longevity, wisdom, and stability. A delicately crafted pendant depicting a seated Eros with spread wings and holding a small turtle.
An ancient Roman ring, almost 2,000 years old, the estimate for Lot 0164 is £1,500 – £2,000. It is a Roman gold ring with a green quartz gemstone of a crouching figure from the 2nd—3rd Century AD.
You can view the lots and learn more at https://timelineauctions.com/.
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