Egyptian
A Hellenistic gold roundel with a bust of Isis-Selene, circa 2nd - 1st century BC
Gold
Height: 3.8 cm
The roundel is composed of sheet gold with a bust of the goddess Isis in relief. The goddess is depicted with characteristic ringlets, crescent disc, and wearing a fringed mantle...
The roundel is composed of sheet gold with a bust of the goddess Isis in relief. The goddess is depicted with characteristic ringlets, crescent disc, and wearing a fringed mantle knotted at her breasts.
Provenance
Silvana Bernhard Collection, Rüschlikon, Switzerland, acquired circa 1970s
With Galerie Nefer, Zurich, Switzerland, 1988Private collection, Switzerland
Exhibitions
On Loan: Antikenmuseum Basel & Sammlung Ludwig, 2000 – 2022Rome, Chiostro del Bramante, Cleopatra. Roma e l’incantesimo dell’Egitto, 12 October 2013 – 2 February 2014
Paris, Pinacothèque de Paris, Le Mythe Cléopâtre, 10 April 2014 – 7 September 2014
Literature
Such busts can be found on Greek gold medallions forming hairnets and pendants, from the Hellenistic period onwards. See B. Barr-Sharrer, The Hellenistic and Early Imperial Decorative Bust, Mainz am Rhein, 1987, pls. 64-5; H. Hoffmann, P. Davidson, Greek Gold; Jewelry from the Age of Alexander, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1965, pp. 224-231. E. Vernier, Bijoux et orfèvreries, 4 vol., CG 53172-53855, Le Caire, 1907-1927; B. Deppert-Lippitz, Griechischer Goldschmuck, Mainz, 1985, pp. 205-296.Publications
A. Wiese, Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, Die Ägyptische Abteilung, Mainz, 2001 p. 190, no. 135a.
G. Gentili (ed.), Cleopatra. Roma e l’incantesimo dell’Egitto, Skira, Milano, 2013, no. 78, p. 156; p. 273.M. Restellini (ed.), Le Mythe Cléopâtre, Pinacothèque de Paris, 2014, p. 180, no. 111.