Beschreibung:

GREEK MYCENAEAN BRONZE ARMLET 15th-12th century BC A substantial cast penannular bracelet comprising a D-section band and finials formed as opposed rams' heads; the band with raised geometric panels to the outer face, the finials with coiled horns and annular eyes. 358 grams, 96 mm (3 3/4"). Fine condition, worn. Provenance Ex Hadley collection, South Yorkshire, UK; formerly in a Doncaster private collection; acquired in the 1960s. Footnotes An XRF ancient metal test certificate from Oxford X-ray Fluorescence Ltd accompanies the piece. Bracelets of this type are very rare, representing a substantial quantity of precious bronze. They were worn on the upper arm by high-status males, and usually show considerable wear from having been in use over a long period. It is probable that the annulet eyes were set with an organic inlay (ivory or bone) or a small stone. The geometric panels behind the rams-head finials with connecting-spiral symbols occur from the Early Cycladic period, circa 2800-2000 BC onwards, and represent a principle symbol of Mycenaean Greek culture, circa 1500-1200 BC. It is likely that the bronze in these extremely rare armlets was imported from Cyprus, the location of a powerful export trade in bronze during the period of production. Achaeans from the Peloponnese settled in Cyprus circa 1200 BC and brought a new style of pottery, as well as metallurgical techniques. Large scale bronze items were created circa 1200-1100 BC, including tripod stands, cauldrons, situlae, and new types of weapon. A four-legged bronze stand with a composite ring at the top and connecting-spiral pattern within, a stylized ram's head with spiral horns above each leg, is now on display in the Cyprus Museum, Nicosia