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Medallion with bust of Zeus and chain
Greek
Roman Imperial Period
late 2nd century A.D.
Place of Manufacture: Southwest Asia Minor
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Diameter (max.) of plaque: 15.8 cm (6 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Zoë Wilbour
Accession Number58.351
CollectionsEurope, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment
This round silver plaque, wrought with an intricately decorated bust of Zeus (as Greek-speakers, even in the Roman period, would have known him), bears an informative set of votive inscriptions. Written in Greek letters formed by individual punch marks, an inscription divided by the bust states: "The community of Myangla, in the 155th year, dedicated this, costing 303 denarii including workmanship and all expenses, from their own money. Gaios made it." A second inscription, running around the bottom half of the rim, names the community leaders present at the dedication.
Various factors, including the reported findspot, suggest that Myangla was a village located in what is now south-central Turkey. In antiquity, dates were generally counted forward from events of local significance. Depending from what incident the year 155 is calculated, the people of Myangla probably offered their gift to Zeus in either A.D. 70 or 180. The style of the bust seems to favor the latter dating. With its large, staring eyes and a body emerging ethereally out of the background, this image of Zeus belongs to a regional tradition of workmanship that exerted a powerful influence on the development of Byzantine art.
The plaque probably formed part of a priestly costume, perhaps worn as a chest piece during ceremonial processions. Fixtures fastened to the rim may have attached to a chain hung around the priest's neck. Several links of a silver chain, decorated with laurel leaves, were found with the plaque, as was a slightly smaller roundel with a bust of the war god, Ares. This group of precious objects may have been stored together in the provincial community's central treasury or purposely buried as a hoard during a turbulent moment in history.
Various factors, including the reported findspot, suggest that Myangla was a village located in what is now south-central Turkey. In antiquity, dates were generally counted forward from events of local significance. Depending from what incident the year 155 is calculated, the people of Myangla probably offered their gift to Zeus in either A.D. 70 or 180. The style of the bust seems to favor the latter dating. With its large, staring eyes and a body emerging ethereally out of the background, this image of Zeus belongs to a regional tradition of workmanship that exerted a powerful influence on the development of Byzantine art.
The plaque probably formed part of a priestly costume, perhaps worn as a chest piece during ceremonial processions. Fixtures fastened to the rim may have attached to a chain hung around the priest's neck. Several links of a silver chain, decorated with laurel leaves, were found with the plaque, as was a slightly smaller roundel with a bust of the war god, Ares. This group of precious objects may have been stored together in the provincial community's central treasury or purposely buried as a hoard during a turbulent moment in history.
Catalogue Raisonné
Highlights: Classical Art (MFA), p. 049.
DescriptionMedallion with bust of Zeus in high relief raised from a thin sheet of silver. The god wears a chiton (the fabric is joined over the right shoulder by a row of punched indentations), himation over his left shoulder, and a laurel wreath set far back on his head. On the background, a stippled inscription in Greek reads, “in the 155th year, the deme of the Myangleis set up at its own expenses for 303 denarii, including the cost of fabrication and all other expenses. Gaios made [me].” A thicker, cast rim is attached with two pairs of rivets with large balls in the front and leaf-shaped fastenings with hinge at the back, probably meant to connect with the chain. The inscription around the rim lists five names. A large piece is missing at the top of the head, and so is one of the rivet balls.
Two fragmentary lengths of chain, each composed of two sections linked by wire, embossed in design of laurel leaves and berries. Perhaps the terminal of the votive chain, in two fragments, decorated by laurel leaves and berries in the same manner as the chain, with a plain rope pattern on the back. Two additional fragments, possibly related to the terminal of the votive chain, with the same decoration of leaves and berries on the front and rope on the back.
Two fragmentary lengths of chain, each composed of two sections linked by wire, embossed in design of laurel leaves and berries. Perhaps the terminal of the votive chain, in two fragments, decorated by laurel leaves and berries in the same manner as the chain, with a plain rope pattern on the back. Two additional fragments, possibly related to the terminal of the votive chain, with the same decoration of leaves and berries on the front and rope on the back.
ProvenanceSaid to have been found at “Seki Bazar,” Turkey [see note 1]. By 1930, Jacob Hirsch (dealer; b. 1874 - d. 1955), Munich; December 7, 1957, Jacob Hirsch sale, Adolph Hess AG, Lucerne, lot 61 to William H. Schab (dealer; b. 1888 - d. 1975), New York; 1958, sold by Schab to the MFA for $2,000 [see note 2]. (Accession date: April 10, 1958)
NOTES:
[1] According to P. Jacobsthal and A. H. Jones, “A Silver Find from South-West Asia Minor,” Journal of Roman Studies 30 (1940), pp. 16-31. The two plaques (see MFA 58.352) are said to have been “found at Seki Bazar between Makli (sic) and Elmali,” probably meaning between Fethiye (Makri) and Elmali. The authors identified the place as the “village of Sekia, four miles north of the site of Oinoanda.” The inscription on the plaque mentions “Myangla,” although the ancient place has not yet been located with certainty (see D. Rousset, De Lycie en Cabalide (2010), nos. 13-14).
[2] This is the total price of 58.351-58.352.
NOTES:
[1] According to P. Jacobsthal and A. H. Jones, “A Silver Find from South-West Asia Minor,” Journal of Roman Studies 30 (1940), pp. 16-31. The two plaques (see MFA 58.352) are said to have been “found at Seki Bazar between Makli (sic) and Elmali,” probably meaning between Fethiye (Makri) and Elmali. The authors identified the place as the “village of Sekia, four miles north of the site of Oinoanda.” The inscription on the plaque mentions “Myangla,” although the ancient place has not yet been located with certainty (see D. Rousset, De Lycie en Cabalide (2010), nos. 13-14).
[2] This is the total price of 58.351-58.352.