Pediment-shaped diadem depicting Aphrodite and Eros
Culture: Greek
Date: 4th-3rd century B.C.
Medium: Gold
Dimensions:
1 3/4 x 4 1/16 in. (4.5 x 10.3 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number: 91.80.33
Provenance: with Edward J. Smith, Weehawken, New Jersey, by 1972; sold at his sale, Christie's, London, October 18, 1972, lot 61, to Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. (1921-2004), San Antonio; Gilbert M. Denman, Jr., by gift to San Antonio Museum of Art, 1991
Published References
Christie's, London, Oct. 18, 1972, lot 61.
Label Text
Wreaths and Diadems (Group Label)
The Greeks wore wreaths in ceremonial processions and at banquets, awarded them as prizes at festivals, dedicated them at sanctuaries, and placed them in graves. Diadems were also worn on festive occasions, but those on display here, too fragile for actual wear, were probably made as grave goods. The images on the diadems were created in the repoussée technique, in which the goldsmith works the back of the sheet of metal to raise the design. Stamps were probably also used to create repeating elements of the patterns. (Jessica Powers 2008)
The Greeks wore wreaths in ceremonial processions and at banquets, awarded them as prizes at festivals, dedicated them at sanctuaries, and placed them in graves. Diadems were also worn on festive occasions, but those on display here, too fragile for actual wear, were probably made as grave goods. The images on the diadems were created in the repoussée technique, in which the goldsmith works the back of the sheet of metal to raise the design. Stamps were probably also used to create repeating elements of the patterns. (Jessica Powers 2008)
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
