Classical

Gold Armlet with Ram Heads

One of a pair of open-ended gold-plated bracelets or armlets with animal head terminals; hoop formed of a bronze or copper core with a burnished gold overlay; the ram's heads were made in two halves, probably die formed; some details has been chased and a ring-punch was used to delineate the fleece; the recessed eyes may originally have been enamelled; head is attached to the hoop of the bracelet with copper alloy rivets, possibly originally disguised under gold caps; the junction between the head and the collar is decorated with plain and beaded wires, with a frieze of simple sheet-gold tongues on the collar itself; faint soldering seams are visible in various places to demonstrate the assemblage of different parts. Dimensions: Diameter: 8.40 centimetres; Height: 7.20 centimetres; Weight: 108.10 grammes; Weight: 1669 grains Object Type: bracelet; armlet Techniques: gold-plated; beaten; soldered; enamelled (?); riveted