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Even in our time, the products of the masters-jewelers of Ancient Greece amaze with their beauty and sophistication. Modern jewelers do not cease to admire the most complex virtuoso technique of the ancient Greeks in the field of jewelry. What kind of decorations were at the disposal of beautiful Greek women and delighted them in the Hellenistic era?
The ancient Greeks loved elegant jewelry, simple and harmonious, but they did not welcome excesses.
In the era of Hellenism, which began with the conquests of Alexander the Great, as a result of which a great empire was formed, Greek culture was significantly enriched, absorbing elements of the cultures of the conquered countries. And after the capture of the richest Persia in Greece, gold flowed like a river, exquisite gold jewelry became very popular.
To create amazing subtle patterns on their products, ancient jewelers used the most complex and very laborious technique - filigree. The pattern, made of the finest wire, was soldered onto a metal surface. By connecting filigree threads containing interspersed pearls or glass smalt, they obtained magnificent necklaces, hair nets … And using the diffuse soldering method to fix small gold balls from the finest wire on a metal surface, ancient craftsmen obtained point grain. Often this work was so delicate that it was possible to see the details of the products only with the use of a magnifying glass.
Hair ornaments
The Greek women took special care of decorating the head and hairstyles, using a variety of jewelry for this. Gold wreaths and richly decorated tiaras were considered the most spectacular and prestigious. To decorate products, various ornaments were usually used, most often floral, as well as images of gods.Wreaths of golden leaves and flowers
Tiaras
These hats were used for special occasions.
Hair nets
Gold fishnet hair nets were very popular, which were often additionally decorated with pearls and precious stones.
Maenads are drunken women who took part in orgies and wild dances in honor of the god Dionysus …
Neck jewelry
Gold ornaments, which were worn around the neck - necklaces, pendants, chains were in great demand … For these ornaments, they also often used wave-like plant patterns using vine leaves, flowers, and buds.
You can also see butterflies, beetles, amphorae on them …
Earrings
The earrings of Greek women were of great variety, but most of them consisted of a disc covered with a pattern or inlay and long thin pendants attached to it, emitting a gentle ringing when walking. Floral motifs were also popular in earrings.
The earrings often depicted gods revered by the Greeks.
On pendants, you can also often see figurines of animals or amphorae.
There were also earrings of other shapes.
Bracelets
A variety of intricate bracelets, emphasizing the beauty and grace of women's hands, were also favorite jewelry in Ancient Greece. Moreover, they wore bracelets not only on the wrist, but also above - on the shoulder or forearm, and some even on the ankle.
