Gold diadem
Χ-Α749
Metal (Gold)
Intact
Length od diadem: 21.2 cm. Max. Width: 3.5 cm. Length of tie: 36 cm.
Lentas
Tomb Ι, Papoura
Early Bronze Age. Prepalatial period. Early Minoan ΙΙ period:
2700-2200 BC:
Gallery:
ICase:
7Exhibition thematic unit:
Early Bronze Age - Prepalatial period (3000 - 1900 BC). Settlements and cemeteries - the rise of ruling groupsTholos tombs
Description
This gold diadem was found low down near the floor of a tholos tomb in Lentas in the Mesara, together with common clay vessels and seals of the period. It is made of sheet gold, carefully cut and decorated with repoussé dots, one of the most popular gold-working techniques at the beginning of the 3rd millennium. Its shape is strikingly symmetrical, while two gold lanceolate leaves have been attached by slipping them through slits cut in the centre of the band. The central strip is cut off, so we do not know if it also terminated in a plant motif. It is fortunate, however, that the thin tie by which the diadem was secured to the head has survived. The original shape and excellent workmanship of the ornament give us a small picture of how, using the relatively simple gold-working techniques of the 3rd millennium BC, goldsmiths were able to produce complex, finely-made pieces of jewellery, often consisting of several parts joined together.Bibliography:
Alexiou, S. 1960. New Light on Minoan Dating: Early Minoan tombs at Lebena. The Illustrated London News 237, no. 6314, August 6: 225-227. Alexiou, S. & P. Warren. 2004. The Early Minoan Tombs of Lebena, Southern Crete (SIMA XXX). Sävedalen: Paul Åströms Förlag. Hickman, J. 2008, Gold Before the Palaces: Crafting jewelry and social identity in Minoan Crete, Pennsylvania. Vasilakis, A. 1996. Ο Χρυσóς και ο Άργυρος στην Κρήτη κατά την Πρώιμη Περίοδο του Χαλκού. Heraklion, Crete: Heraklion Municipality, Vikelaia Library.Author:
I. G.Photographs' metadata