http://collections.mfa.org/collections/objectsrdf/419472;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEJWL.Jewelry from the Classical Worldhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1088063/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1016171/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEBracelets with a basket flanked by snakes1st century B.C.–1st century A.D.Gold, emeralds, and pearls (modern)A gold bracelet composed of a gold band studded with two outer rows of pearls. The projecting central element, a basket (kalathos), is decorated with cabochon emeralds and flanked by coiling snakes. Snakes were regarded as protective spirits, associated with healing (Asklepios) by the Greeks and the Romans. In an Egyptian context, the snake was often associated with Agathodaimon ("the Good Spirit"). One of a pair with 1981.288.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/154804;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1000973/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AECameo with Livia holding a bust of Augustus (?)A.D. 14–37TurquoiseBust of Livia in the guise of Venus Genetrix, with closely clinging drapery slipping off her left shoulder. Beside her is a youthful male head, which must originally have belonged to a bust or full-length figure, alternately identified as a bust of the deified Augustus, or as one of her sons, Tiberius or Drusus I. The cameo has been set into a modern setting. The lower part of the gem is damaged, and a portion of the original has clearly been lost.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155690;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/856758/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AECameo with the wedding of Cupid and Psyche, or an initiation rite50–25 B.C.TryphonOnyxLayered onyx. Cameo. The wedding of Cupid and Psyche. Incised Greek inscription: "Tryphon made it."http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155692;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1088073/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEDiadem with Herakles knot200–150 B.C.Gold and garnetA diadem (or headband) worn over a high female coiffure. The center is composed of a Herakles knot, whose strands are garlands of pointed leavees; a rosette, once inlaid with a stone, marks the center of the knot. The Herakles knot is hinged to sofa-capital-shaped plates, each set with a cabochon garnet in a toothed mounting and surrounded with repeating "plaited" borders of countertwisted wire. A double band of toothed ornament runs across the lower parts of the capitals. Three bunches, each originally of three garnet beads held above and below by rosette-cups and attached to chains, hang down, one from the Herakles knot and one from a lower corner of each capital. The straps, two at each side, are made by the interlocking loop-in-loop technique with links of hairlike fineness; each ends in a tongue-shaped finial with filigree ornament and a hook or eye for fastening.The Herakles knot is bordered with the teeth used to hold stone or glass inlays, but the strands are made up of pointed gold leaves. The volutes, of loosely coiled wire, are reduced to vestigial form. By contrast, the decoration of the capitals is overt and repetitious, with no attempt at transition between the round garnet cabochons and the angular surrounding elements. Most comparable in its simplification, though more logically organized and entirely different in construction, is an example in Cairo, for which a mid-third-century date has been suggested.(Description by A. Herrmann in "The Search for Alexander" 1980, cat. no. 79.)http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/262193;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/839970/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEEarring with a dove standing on an altar150–100 B.C.Gold, garnet, and glass pasteEarring with a dove hanging from a disc, which is surmounted by a stylized crown of an Egyptian god composed of a sun disc surmounted by two feathers. At the sides of the sun disc, vine scrolls replace the more usual grain. The dove stands on an altar decorated with garlands. The surface of the dove is covered with beads of gold granulation, colorful stones, and glass paste.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/689;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1000616/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEEarring with Nike driving a two-horse chariotabout 350–325 B.C.Gold, enamelEarring in form of Nike driving a two-horse chariot (biga). The figures are modeled in the round and form a pendant suspended from a disc in the shape of a honeysuckle palmette. Wearing a belted chiton (tunic), a full-length skirt, and several items of jewelry, Nike leans forward, her left hand pulling on the reins of the horses, whose front legs rear sharply. The features on the goddess's face are crisp and her expression resolute, while the animals appear startled and tense. Raised as if in flight, Nike's elaborate, feathery, and finely chased wings provide an elegant counterbalance to the dynamic composition.The ornament is composed of more than a hundred individual elements soldered together. The bodies of the figures are crafted from gold sheet that is embellished with wirework details and small gold balls. The honeysuckle palmette is fashioned into curved petals and circular stamens outlined with fine twisted wires; remnants of enamel survive on several of the stamens. In the center of the leaf is a tear-shaped fruit encrusted with dense gold granulation. A hoop on the underside was probably attached to an ear wire, which is now missing. http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/155707;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1088072/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEHead of a pin with lions, bees, an ionic capital, and foliageLate fifth century B.C.GoldThe head of a straight pin. At the bottom are two globes, one above the other; above these globes, a four-sided Ionic capital; from the four volutes of the capital, rise lions, whose forepaws rest on the cone-shaped object at the center of the design, consisting of clusters of acanthus leaves. Between the forelegs of the lions rise spirals and between these are bees. The top of the pin head is a small rosette or flower. The pin has a fine mesh chain ending in snake's heads, probably to connect it to a similar pin worn at the same time. Said to have been found with the gold sphinx pin 96.718, and the Athenian red-figure acorn lekythos 95.1402.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/185888;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1496802/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEA Late Roman Gold ArmletLate 3rd to Early 4th century A.D.GoldOne of a pair of gold armlets worn by a wealthy woman of the late Imperial period. This gold armlet is made in two sections formerly hinged together, of hollow circular form repoussé in relief and chased on the crest and sides with two rows of large quatrefoils interspersed with small rosettes and theater masks. Petals with finely-notched edges line the undecorated inner circumference. Width = 13 cm; Weight = 260 g. http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/642763;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1228216/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AENecklace mounted with gold coin of Emperor ValensA.D. 364-378GoldThe pendant with the gold coin or solidus of Emperor Valens (AD 364-378) is set in a palmette and dart mount and comes with a figure “8” loop-in-loop chain with a Herakles know fastener.Only the obverse of the coin is visible, the reverse is blocked by a gold sheet disc.Obverse legend: DNVALENS PERFAVG (Dominus Noster Valens Perpetuus Felix Augustus)Reverse ?: RESTITVTOTRREI PVBLICAE?)http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/168668;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1235568/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AERing with cameo of clasped hands3rd century A.D.Gold and sardonyxA traditional Roman marriage ring with bezel design of two clasped hands. The woman's hand on the left wears a bracelet. Above, a garland or fillet. Below, OMONOIA, "harmony" (white on blue background). Octagonal hoop with oval bezel mounting. The shape of the ring suggests that it was worn on the upper joints of fingers rather than lower as indicated by figural sculptures wearing jewelry.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/259587;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1703936/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AERing with oval gem with armed Aphroditeearly 3rd century B.C.GelonGold and garnetIntaglio. The thick hoop of the gold ring swells without demarcation into a high bezel, inset with a convex, broad, oval garnet. Aphrodite is shown in three-quarter back view, her mantle falling about her thighs as she bends forward to arm herself with the heavy shield and the spear of her lover Ares. Behind the figure, Greek inscription: "Gelon made it." Inside the ring, a faintly and irregularly scratched Greek inscription: "farewell." Objects in the MFA from the Tomb of the Erotes include 97.290-97.345, 98.790-98.794, 98.798, 98.893, 99.438, and 21.1213.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/238217;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1227986/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEScaraboid gem with a nude youth and a horseabout 500 B.C.EpimenesChalcedonyIntaglio. Pierced for stringing (horizontal). Motif oriented horizontally. Naked youth seen in three-quarters backview, leaning back on right leg while holding the bridle of a restive horse. Hatched border. Inscribed in Greek: 'Epimenes made (me).'http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/242484;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEhttp://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/1088063/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AEWreath of oak leaves and acorns4th century B.C.GoldThe two tubular "branches" (in semi-circular sections) are fastened at the front by a wire connecting the two looped ends. The oak leaves and acorns, veiled with gold leaf, are connected to the "branches" by gold wire stems.http://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/262101;jsessionid=832948164A50ED14F24846967FC9C8AE