Necklace with a Gold Marriage Medallion and Hematite Amulet in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2010

Title: Necklace with Gold Marriage Medallion and Hematite Amulet

Date: 400–450 (medallion); 100–200 (amulet)

Culture: Byzantine

Medium: Gold, hematite

Dimensions: Length chain: 31in. (78.7cm) Medallion: 2 9/16 x 7/16 in. (6.5 x 1.1 cm) Hermatite: 1 11/16 x 1 3/16 x 1/4 in. (4.3 x 3 x 0.7 cm)

Classification: Metalwork-Gold

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1958

Accession Number: 58.12

On View


Description:

The marriage of the two figures on the gold pendant is blessed by Christ who holds wreaths over their heads, a Christian variation of a pagan motif. The hematite pendant with its solar deity was probably attached for its healing qualities.

These two works were part of a hoard found at the base of the Capitoline Hill, the center of commercial activity in Rome even after the transfer of the imperial capital to Constantinople. The jewelry was probably hidden during the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 or the Vandals in 455.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/collection_database/mediev...