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Rosette ornament with head of a griffin
Greek, East Greek
Archaic Period
660–620 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Gold
Dimensions
Legacy dimension: 0.025 H. 0.043 D.
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number99.379
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment
DescriptionThis intricately crafted ornament takes the form of a large rosette with six rounded petals. Each petal is bordered by a row of twisted wire, added in filigree, and a row of small golden beads created with the jewelry crafting technique of granulation. The petals are further accentuated by the addition of smaller, raised rosettes with nine petals, all decorated with granulation. The center of each of these smaller rosettes once carried a golden cap, though several of these are now missing. Surrounded by a ring of petals, a griffin’s head emerges from the center of the ornament. A ring of granulation articulates the area where the griffin emerges from the petal, and more granulation creates an abstract curling pattern and clusters of dots on the back of its neck. It has a knob atop its head and is decorated with granulated patterns. The tongue that protrudes from its open mouth and its curving ears are made from added sheets of gold. Even the griffin’s tongue is decorated on this elaborate piece, with a series of lightly incised chevron-like striations.
ProvenanceBy date unknown: W. H. Forman Collection; inherited from him by Mrs. Burt and then, about 1889, by A. H. Browne; by 1899: with Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 13 Wellington Street, Strand, London W.C., England, auction of the Forman Collection, June 19-22, lot 398 (with 99.380) (said to be from Kameiros); 1899: with Edward Perry Warren; 1899: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 32,500.00 (this is the total price for MFA 99.338-99.542)