{"product_id":"vintage-etruscan-revival-18k-gold-insect-pendant-c-1980","title":"Vintage Minoan Malia Bee Pendant","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming vintage \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18K gold pendant inspired by the famous Minoan bee pendant from Malia, Crete\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, probably made on the island during the late 90's - early 2000's as a high-quality souvenir of one of Greece’s best-known archaeological jewels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original pendant was discovered in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChrysolakkos cemetery at Malia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, on the north coast of Crete, and dates to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1800–1700 BC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, during the Protopalatial or First Palace period of Minoan civilisation. Now housed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, it is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Minoan goldwork. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts design depicts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo bees facing one another\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, their bodies joined at the head and stinger while they hold a circular form interpreted as a honeycomb. Between their mouths is a small rounded element thought to represent a drop of honey. The ancient original combines filigree, granulation, repoussé and engraved decoration, remarkably sophisticated techniques for jewellery made almost four thousand years ago. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe imagery was more than decorative. Honey and beeswax were important commodities within the Minoan economy, while the bee itself appears to have carried religious significance associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efertility, regeneration and rebirth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The richness of the original gold pendant also reflects the prosperity of the elite communities surrounding the Minoan palaces. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis later interpretation preserves the instantly recognisable symmetrical insect form while simplifying the ancient construction into a wearable pendant. The surface uses raised bead-like detailing reminiscent of ancient \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egranulation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, directly recalling one of the techniques used by Minoan goldsmiths.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrafted in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18K gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the pendant is stamped \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e750\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and carries a later \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrench owl import mark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, indicating that it subsequently entered the French market. It weighs \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.23g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.5 x 2cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particularly appealing example of archaeological revival jewellery: not an ancient jewel, but a wearable tribute to one of the most important surviving ornaments of Bronze Age Crete.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 18K gold; Crete\/Greece, probably c.1990s–early 2000s; 2.23g; approximately 2.5 x 2cm; stamped 750 with French owl import mark. Very good vintage condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49310664524084,"sku":"1017810356","price":4795.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/raven258.jpg?v=1791131823","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/zh-cn\/products\/vintage-etruscan-revival-18k-gold-insect-pendant-c-1980","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}