Hellenistic burial necklace with butterfly pendant, symbolizing the soul. Gold with precious stones. Late 1st-2nd century BC [1799×1699]
by Remote_Finish_9429
Hellenistic burial necklace with butterfly pendant, symbolizing the soul. Gold with precious stones. Late 1st-2nd century BC [1799×1699]
by Remote_Finish_9429
3 Comments
lovely piece, but it looks like that butterfly has bird feet
For more information about this object, here is its home at the [Walters Art Museum](https://art.thewalters.org/object/57.386/).
It was found in 1891 in a tomb near (Pontic) Olbia, an important Greek colony on the Black Sea coast of modern Ukraine (west of the Chersonese). The piece dates to the Hellenistic period, 2nd-1st century BC (i.e., ca. 200-101 BC).
It was found around the neck of the deceased. The butterfly symbolizes the soul and is found on other burial necklaces.
Would this be worn by the deceased during their life, or was it made only as a burial gift?