Mesopotamian, Early Dynasty III, 3rd millennium BC
Each bead 3.7 cm in length. Overall length of necklace: 51 cm
Four fine Mesopotamian gold beads, of biconical form each with six flattened faces. Each bead hollow with an everted rim at either end.
Condition: Beads intact, with modern chain and spacer beads.
Literature: Beads of similar form in gold and precious stones have been found in the Royal graves at Ur. For comparable examples in their original context, see a child's diadem now housed in the British Museum, as published in J. Aruz (ed) with R. Wallenfels, 'Art of the First Cities - The Third Millennium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus', New York, 2003, no. 76. See also no.76, for the form but further embellished with filigree work. For more information on the type, see K. R. Maxwell-Hyslop, 'Western Asiatic Jewellery, c. 3000-612 BC' (London, 1971) pp. 7-9.
Provenance: Private Pennsylvania collection, acquired 1980s, Collection of Bert Rowland, Bucks County, PA.
Mesopotamian, Early Dynasty III, 3rd millennium BC
Each bead 3.7 cm in length. Overall length of necklace: 51 cm
Four fine Mesopotamian gold beads, of biconical form each with six flattened faces. Each bead hollow with an everted rim at either end.
Condition: Beads intact, with modern chain and spacer beads.
Literature: Beads of similar form in gold and precious stones have been found in the Royal graves at Ur. For comparable examples in their original context, see a child's diadem now housed in the British Museum, as published in J. Aruz (ed) with R. Wallenfels, 'Art of the First Cities - The Third Millennium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus', New York, 2003, no. 76. See also no.76, for the form but further embellished with filigree work. For more information on the type, see K. R. Maxwell-Hyslop, 'Western Asiatic Jewellery, c. 3000-612 BC' (London, 1971) pp. 7-9.
Provenance: Private Pennsylvania collection, acquired 1980s, Collection of Bert Rowland, Bucks County, PA.
