Bracteate
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The Achaemenid rulers of ancient Persia favored images of lions with their mouths open in a snarl or roar. On these gold jewelry
elements, the lions are shown complete or as heads only, in both fairly realistic and highly decorative forms. The gold head of a bull, another dangerous animal, seems almost placid in comparison. The pin decorated with an ibex, or wild mountain goat, was used to fasten garments.
MEDIUM
Gold
DATES
6th–5th century B.C.E.
PERIOD
Persian Achaemenid Period
ACCESSION NUMBER
70.142.8
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Gold Bracteate. Full figure of striding lion boarded by a line of high repoussé. The shoulder blade, rib cage, shoulder and haunch muscles are indicated in the same thin repoussé line. There are 3 rings for attachment on the back.
Condition: Base of tail broken from body. Small cracks along all the ribs.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Persian. Bracteate, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 13/16 x 1 5/16 in. (2.1 x 3.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.8. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
70.142.6-.11_PS2.jpg.
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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