Necklace with an Intaglio of Athena and Hermes

Description This necklace, composed of polygonal carnelian beads alternating with gold links, reflects a popular Roman imperial style. One end of the hook-and-eye clasp bears a further decorative element- a carnelian seal with Athena and Hermes in intaglio. The necklace has a loop-in-loop chain that exemplifies this basic form. Although some of the gold links of this necklace may be modern, the necklace is a faithful reconstruction of a known style from the period.

Exhibitions

• Jewelry - Ancient to Modern. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1979-1980.
• Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry from the Walters Art Museum. Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota; The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2006-2009.
• Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry. El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso. 2010.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters