Friday, 22nd April 2005 (3083 views)

A new exhibit has opened in Switzerland, showcasing ancient jewellery from the fourth millennium BC to 13th century AD.

6000 Years of Jewels: Fine Metalwork and Jewellery from Antiquity is running until June 3rd at Phoenix Ancient Art's Geneva gallery.

Among the items on display are rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, with pieces starting in value at $2,200.

The expo provides consumers with an insight into metalworks and jewellery in ancient times from a host of cultures and countries such as Spain, Greece, central Europe and Rome.

Items also show how jewellery was made and the way civilisations used metallurgic techniques.

A strong theme is the use of gold and silver and the show focuses on the use of precious stones.

"All of the remarkably preserved pieces feature such innovative techniques as granulation, chasing, gilding and relief work that are virtually impossible for today's jewellers to recreate, even with modern technology," Ali Aboutaam, president of Phoenix Ancient Art, said.

"These objects are all individual testimonies to the extraordinary levels of craftsmanship achieved by ancient cultures, and their technical ability to produce artistically exquisite and unique works of art."

Key gold items include a gold torque necklace from western Europe in the second millennium BC, which was made from a hammered bar of gold and a Hellenistic Greek gold cup displaying scenes of fishermen from the second to first century BC.

In addition, a Classical Greek gold ring engraved with the figure of Hercules features in the display.

 

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