Pendant thumbnail 1

Pendant

ca. 1858 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pendant was bought in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum. He may have acquired it from Castellani, the most prestigious of the jewellers in Rome.

Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold, mottled agate
Brief description
Scarab pendant of mottled agate and gold, probably made by Castellani, Rome, about 1858
Physical description
Scarab pendant of gold and mottled agate. The ram's head mask, once part of the jewel, is missing.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3cm
  • Width: 1.6cm
  • Depth: 1.2cm
Style
Object history
Probably made by Castellani of Rome. Purchased in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This pendant was bought in Rome in 1858 by Henry Cole, the first Director of the South Kensington Museum, later the Victoria & Albert Museum. He may have acquired it from Castellani, the most prestigious of the jewellers in Rome.

Ancient beads, scarabs and engraved gemstones from excavations were an essential element of jewellery made in the archaeological style. Mounted in gold, they were densely set in necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings or rings.
Collection
Accession number
5995-1859

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Record createdAugust 30, 2005
Record URL
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