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9 août 2017

Lion Bracelet, Achaemenid, 6th-4th century B.C.

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Achaemenid Lion Bracelet, Achaemenid, 6th-4th century B.C.,Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, D: 9.3cm, H: 8cm © David Aaron

This spectacular bracelet dates from the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330). It was a vast empire, stretching from Turkey to Afghanistan. Mesopotamia and Persia lay at its heart, and the imagery and tastes favoured by the Achaemenid kings were to have a lasting influence on Persian culture for centuries to come. At the centre of Achaemenid culture was the royal court, and its imagery speaks still of power and grandeur. Of the various motifs found in Achaemenid jewellery, the lion is amongst the most popular. The lion is a symbol of strength just as gold implies wealth and status. This bracelet is a striking example of an archetypally Achaemenid design.  

This bracelet is composed mainly of gold, and has vigorously designed terminals in the shape of lion’s heads. They are large, stylised and feline, their eyes upturned and muzzles carved in careful detail. Their heavy brows lend them a certain solemnity. Their necks are ringed in a band of gold, in a plaited design. Behind this is an almost collar-like ring of inlaid carnelian and lapis lazuli. The geometric design comprises diamond and triangle tesserae, and the pale, pinkish carnelian contrasts attractively with the blue lapis lazuli. The band of the bracelet is deeply fluted on the outside and smooth on the inside. The inside also bears a short cuneiform inscription. 

A very similar piece in the Louvre also has lion-headed terminals and beautiful polychromatic inlay.[1] Inlay of this kind is typical of the Achaemenid period; carnelian, lapis lazuli and turquoise were often used.[2] The Louvre piece also has a distinctive indent at the centre of the band. A slightly earlier bronze bracelet, now in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, has unusually shaped of the lion-head terminals that resemble those here.[3] Roughly cast, it lacks the sophistication of the present piece, but hints interestingly at the zoomorphic tradition in Mesopotamian jewellery.[4] 

[1] Pair of bracelets decorated with lion’s head inlays, Louvre Museum, Paris. Achaemenid period, c.350 BC. Acropolis, Susa. Gold, lapis lazuli, turquoise and mother-of-pearl. Sb 2761

[2] J. Curtis and N. Tallis; Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia, 2005, p.132

[3] Bracelet, Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Iran, Luristan, ca Ca 1000-650 B.C. Iron, wrought. M.76.97.303

[4] Helene J. Kantor; ‘Achaemenid Jewelry in the Oriental Institute’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Jan., 1957), pp. 1-23

David Aaron, 22 Berkeley Square, London UK-W1J 6EH, United Kingdom

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