Gold capsule in the form of a grasshopper

Unknown

6th–4th century BCE · Gold · Greek and Roman Art

A recurrent object of the Archaic and Classical periods--part amulet, part jewelry--is the small capsule worn as a pendant. It is a Phoenician type particularly well represented in Carthaginian jewelry. The purpose of the capsule was to hold a text that would protect or assist the wearer. It is unclear whether the examples found in Cyprus were made there or imported from the Levant.

Artist

Unknown

Date

6th–4th century BCE

Medium

Gold

Culture

Cypriot

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76