Posted 8 years ago
rayf
(1 item)
First Piece: 1 1/2 inches by 1 inch garnet carved intaglio falcon pendant, set in metal made from melting coins, I presume. I purchased this piece from an antique show.
Second Piece: 1 inch circle, image of Phillip II of Macedonia, Alexander the Great's father. It is Egyptian faience glass from around 300BC. Dealer told us the following:
Found in the dessert near Iran, presumed to be from the time of Alexander the Great, approximately 200-300BC. Was told it was garnet, but I think it is glass. Originally was a part of a larger necklace, but was reset in metal to make an individual necklace. Dealer said that they probably came from Alexander the Great's army, as it marched through the region, pillaging villages.
I would like to know anything anyone knows about these pieces, I paid 60$ for it and think it is really pretty.
It is pretty. What a piece!!
That's quite a story the dealer told to you. Did he happen to mention how those items came into his possession? How did the dealer know it was originally part of a larger necklace?
Please edit your post and add more photos.
I'm interested to see what others think about this pendant.
I'd love to see it after it is cleaned, and the back of it.
The dealer travels to the Middle East and purchases artifacts that are scavenged from the desert, according to him. He said there are numerous pieces still to be found by locals who bring these pieces back and sell them. I only have his word to go on, so I am not sure if all of this is true. I will say that the dealer had many old coins and Greek/Hellenistic pieces that were definitely authentic, even museum-quality pieces. He stated that it was a part of a bigger neck piece, but I am not sure if this is true. The companion piece I mentioned with Phillip II of Macedonia carved into it, was very similar and could have easily been a part of the same larger necklace. They were allegedly found together. He did say that originally it was not set in metal and that the metal casing was added later, and made from melted coins, a mix of various copper, brass, tin and nickel, possibly silver too. I will post more pictures of the back.
Clean it with a soft toothbrush. All that dust & skin bits etc. are gumming it up awfully. You can use 4 pictures.
Efesgirl, I posted the companion piece that we bought at the same time.