Openwork Necklace from Georgia (South Caucasus) c.100-250 CE: this entire necklace has an openwork design, and the chain is studded with garnets; petal-shaped pieces of garnet and turquoise also decorate the medallion in the center [3828×5036]

[This photo](https://mirandalovestravelling.com/media/2018/08/Tbilisi-99.jpg) really shows the openwork design of both the medallion and the chain.

This necklace was discovered at a site known as Armaziskhevi, which is located near the city of Mtskheta, in modern-day Georgia. It dates back to about 100-250 CE, when Mtskheta served as the capital of Kartli (also known as the Kingdom of Iberia) which covered most of what is now eastern Georgia.

[This excerpt](https://archive.org/details/rizzi-2010-hadrian-and-christians/ThorstenOpper_2013_Hadrian_Art_Politics_Economy/page/154/mode/1up) describes the intricate design of the necklace:

> The most striking item [from Armaziskhevi] was an openwork necklace studded with garnets; the medallion is decorated with alternating petal-shaped garnets and turquoises. Concave garnets and granulation are intricately woven into the openwork chain; the massive rosette with red and blue petals adds to the luxurious effect of this outstanding piece of jewellery.

The necklace was found in an ancient necropolis that was once used by members of the local aristocracy, including the provincial governors (*Pitiakhsh*) and high-ranking nobles (*Eristavi*) of Kartli and Iberia.

Sources & More Info:
– Hadrian and the Christians: [Georgia in Roman Times](https://archive.org/details/rizzi-2010-hadrian-and-christians/ThorstenOpper_2013_Hadrian_Art_Politics_Economy/page/154/mode/1up)
– Atinati: [Armazi Golden Treasure](https://atinati.com/news/6476064189f23d003871b735?lang=en)
– Georgian Metalwork from Antiquity to the 18th Century: [Mtskheta and the Armazi Necropolis](https://archive.org/details/georgianmetalwor0000amir/page/32/mode/1up?q=%22%28Plate+18%29%22)