Bull's Head Gold-plated Pendant

Bucranium jewel from Knossos, Crete

Crete
49.90
Ask a question
FX 012051
In stock
+

Pendant, inspired by an earring in the form of a bull's head (called also bucranium) from Knossos with dense gratulation to the conic snout of the head. The earring was found at the chamber tombs of the Mavro Spilio cemetery at Knossos and dates to the 14th-13th century B.C. The bucranium, which is the head of the sacred bull and the bull horns, were some of the most common themes, that were used in Minoan jewelry art. The bull was one of the sacred symbols of the Minoan religion, symbolizing the power of nature. Handmade copper gold-plated 24 carats.

Dimensions: 5 cm x 9,5 cm x 1cm

You can also see the silver pendant.

All prices include VAT.

Estimated delivery time | View more

This gold earring was found at the Minoan chamber tombs of the Mavro Spilio cemetery at Knossos and dates to the 14th-13th century B.C. Each horn forms a crescent and the earring terminates in a large spherical knob. The conic snout of the head is decorated with granulation, a technique which was used by the goldsmiths in Minoan civilization.

Earrings were created in the Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece from as early as the 17th century B.C. The jewelry art continued to evolve during the period of Mycenaean domination of Crete, 1450-1100 B.C., and the decoration of the jewels was enriched with the granulating technique.

Jewelry in the shape of the bull were often found in Minoan tombs. The bull was the sacred animal of Crete. The Minoans worshiped bulls, because they symbolized the momentum and the power of life. The double horns or horns of consecration and the bucranium, or head of the sacred bull, as well as the double axe or labrys were the most common sacred symbols of their religion.

The earrings are displayed at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Crete.

Area:
Crete
Date:
14th - 13th century B.C.
Details:
with black satin cord
Dimensions (WxHxD):
5 cm x 9,5 cm x 1cm
Gross Weight:
40 gr
Includes:
Gift packaging - Description Greek & English
Material:
Gold-plated 24K Copper
Subcategory:
Pendant
Weight:
21 gr

No reviews found