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Jewelry and Seals :
Bracelets : Bactrian Silver Torque
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Bactrian Silver Torque - SP.233
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 330
BC
to 100
BC
Dimensions:
5.75" (14.6cm) depth
Collection: Jewelry
Medium: Silver
$4,500.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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A silver necklace in the style of a torque, the
beauty of this item lies in its simplicity. Of
Greco-Bactrian origin, the culture that produced
this item was a synthesis of Alexander’s
Macedonian Greece with that of the local regions
influenced by his conquest. The shape of the
item is circular, formed of silver wire, the closure
being comprised of a graceful, tail in the shape
of serpent’s head, turned back on itself, that
enters a loop on the other end. The receptacle
end is comprised of wire wound back upon itself
in the form of a hoop with multiple flourishes
and adorned with a spiral disc, resembling a
crown or a sun-disc, that rests atop the torque
wire, just behind the hoop, and then terminates
in a spiral sheath of wire wrapped tightly around
the torque. Perhaps other ornaments, such as
rings or gems, might have hung from the torque
when worn around the neck; there is already one
example of this currently suspended from the
hoop in the form of a simple, wound silver ring.
The current piece is of thicker gauge than others
of its type.
The untold stories that this artifact must bear
silent witness to, carried perhaps by soldiers as
evidence of their conquest, or worn by Bactrian
beauties to adorn the bosom, are tantalizing to
entertain. What can be said about such an item
is that it stands as a testament to the beauty
carried by simplicity, and the noble
craftsmanship of the lands that Alexander
sought to conquer. Perhaps a necklace such as
this was worn by the Bactrian princess Roxanne
on the night of her wedding to Alexander.
- (SP.233)
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