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Openwork Roundel

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 1/16 x 1 5/8 in. (0.1 x 4.2 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 70.142.10
CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Openwork roundel with two adorsed rampant lions whose tails intertwine in a figure 8 and who touch noses. The entire piece is made from a single sheet of metal. Condition: Border cracked through between head and paw of the left animal.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Persian. Openwork Roundel, 6th–5th century B.C.E. Gold, 1/16 x 1 5/8 in. (0.1 x 4.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair Bradley Martin, 70.142.10. 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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