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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.
CULTURES Persian; Achaemenid
MEDIUM Gold
DATES 6th–5th century B.C.E.
PERIOD Persian Achaemenid Period
DIMENSIONS 13/16 x 1 5/16 in. (2.1 x 3.4 cm)  (show scale)
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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