A Hellenistic Gold Granulated Pendant, Eastern Mediterranean, <br><em>ca. 3rd - 1st century BCE</em>

a fine gold pendant, the central spherical body decorated with pyramidal granulation clusters that taper away from the visible equatorial band that bisects the body, a cylindrical shaft extends from the top hemisphere of the body that is also decorated with granulation in random clusters, at the top of this shaft is a curled piece of gold for attachment, from the lower hemisphere extends a shorter protrusion that is capped with a sphere with further granulation.  Artisans of the Eastern Mediterranean used the iconography of Dionysus the Greek god of wine on many things, including jewelry. This Dionysian influence is evident in the granulation that takes the shape of grape clusters. This pendant is an excellent representation of the synthesis of Greek and Near Eastern elements. The grape motif dates back to the third millennium BC.   For related examples see:  Rudolph, Wolf, Barbara Deppert-Lippitz, and Linda Baden. A Golden Legacy: Ancient Jewelry from the Burton Y. Berry Collection at