Milena Tonkova

Two sets of extremely impressive pieces of jewellery of the first century BC – first century AD found in a rich grave from the vicinity of the ancient town Anchialos (modern Pomorie) at the West coast of the Black sea are analyzed in this study. According to their style and technique of manufacture these adornments refer to different stylistic groups of the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. The case is about two single sets, each of them composed of different elements. First includes a pair of splendid earrings with figurines of sphinx and decorated with garnets, as well as a collier of the type of the strap-necklaces with numerous amphora-shaped pendants and fasteners ornamented with frog figurines. According to the style of these adornments the set belongs to the jewellery fashion of the second-first century BC. Second set includes earrings in the shape of a triangular plate decorated with lots of cabochons and pendants as well as a chain-necklace of linked cabochons and fasteners with lynx heads, the last executed in a different manner. In this set, the coloured elements predominate over gold ones as the role of the last is reduced to that of a base. Although found in one and the same grave complex, the two sets of jewellery are obviously products of workshops of different times – of the second century BC and of the first century BC – first century AD.

Institution: 
Department of Thracian Archaeology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS)
Year: 
2012
Destination: 
Lyon, France
Title: 
The adornments of the princess from Anchialos and the Late Hellenistic polychrome style.
Excerpt: 
Two sets of extremely impressive pieces of jewellery of the first century BC – first century AD found in a rich grave from the vicinity of the ancient town Anchialos (modern Pomorie) at the West coast of the Black sea are analyzed in this study. According