Beschreibung:

A BYZANTINE GOLD, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, GARNET AND PEARL PENDANT ON A GOLD AND EMERALD CHAIN
CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
A BYZANTINE GOLD, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, GARNET AND PEARL PENDANT ON A GOLD AND EMERALD CHAIN CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D. The large cylindrical pendant, perhaps a reliquary box, formed from two sections that thread together upon corresponding helical ridges, one section with four doves facing inward, the upper two with a filled basket in between, all surrounding a perforated pearl secured with a wire, framed by four prong-set sapphires alternating with wire-set pearls, palmettes in between, the outer perimeter with eight radiating wires threaded through sapphire beads; the other section centered by a wire-set pearl, framed by sheet gold foliage, and four box-set cabochon emeralds alternating with wire-set pearls, palmettes in between, the outer perimeter with eight radiating wires threaded through emerald beads, the outer edge and the sides of the suspension loop set with rectangular foil-backed cloissoné garnets, the loop fringed on either side with beaded wire; suspended on a necklace composed of lengths of double loop-in-loop chain, each section terminating in a ridged collar centered by a loop, the sections interspersed with an emerald bead threaded onto wire, centered by a single circular box-shaped element set with a cabochon emerald, fringed with beaded wire and radiating granules, the underside with an embossed rosette Necklace: 21¼ in. (54 cm.) long (closed); Pendant: 2¼ in. (5.7 cm.) long