 | Apolonia Ancient Art |
|
Home |
|
Mint Greek Geometric Bronze Double Ax Pendant browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Ancient World:Greek:Bronze: Pre AD 1000: item # 958305
Apolonia Ancient Art 290 Fillmore St. #D Denver, CO. 80206 303-321-7351 gallery Guest Book $865.00 |
|
||||||||||
| This mint quality piece is a Greek bronze pendant that is in the form of a double-ax. This scarce piece is approximately 1.5 inches high by 1.4 inches wide and dates circa 850-750 B.C. This piece has a superb dark green patina and is 100% intact, with no cracks or chips. This piece has a hole in the center, where this piece probably attached to a necklace and hung as a pendant and/or amulet. The double-ax symbol had Minoan origins circa 1500 B.C., and was a symbol that was adopted by the Mycenaean Greeks circa 1200 B.C. This symbol is also seen on Attic Geometric ceramics, circa 750 B.C., and is often seen representing a "S-type" shield, which also doubles as the main body of the painted figures. (For an example of this type of Attic ceramic see the attached photo. The example cited is seen in the National Museum, Athens.) It is quite possible that this double-ax symbol represented strength, power, and eternal life, and this may also explain why this symbol is seen in early Minoan art, circa 1500 B.C., and continues for another 750 years down to the Greek Geometric Period circa 750 B.C. (This type of symbol is often seen as a votive object, as the example seen in "Greek Civilization, Macedonia" by Julia Vokotopoulou Ed., Kapon Editions Pub., Athens, 1993, no. 111. See attached photo. This votive piece is a triple-ax pendant that was a grave offering, as it was made from a flat sheet of bronze.) The piece offered here may also have been a votive object as well, but it is a solid cast piece and was probably worn in life, as it was designed to be seen from both sides. (Another analogous example of the same size and type was offered in Bonhams Antiquities, London, April 1999, no. 306. This piece was listed with estimates of L750-L800 pounds. See attached photo.) The piece offered here can also be easily added to a modern pendant, and sits on a custom plexiglas stand that is included. Ex: Steve Rubinger collection, Los Angeles, CA. Ex: Private New York collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition: | |||||||||||
|
