Image: National Museum of Afghanistan ©Thierry Ollivier/Musée Guimet
These delicately wrought bracelets, accented by pieces of turquoise, a popular gemstone used by these ancient people, is a gleaming reminder of ancient Afghanistan craftsmanship – the simplicity belying the immediate beauty. Redolent instantly of power, status and perhaps protection, the lion (a celebrated creature throughout the ancient world) is here artistically rendered with a definite sculptural aspect. The bracelets are surprisingly modern too and these and examples like them may surely have influenced designers, particularly Verdura or Cartier. The lions’ heads are circled by stylized leaves suggesting, perhaps, neat collars which in turn, reflect the fluidity and flow of the whole shape.
Materials: Gold and in-laid turquoise
Date: 1st Century BC-1st century AD