Lot 2799
A Rare and Important Group of Greek Gilded Silver Roundels. Greece, possibly Macedon, Mid-4th - Early 3rd century BC. Lot of five roundels, circular and shield-like in appearance, with raised convex faces, encircled by a recessed flange. The roundels each with a single ornamental device, worked en repoussè and chased. Four have variations on a six point star -- each with central round boss, and the rays ranging from thin, to thick rays, and ribbed rays to petal-like rays. The last roundel with a combination of four ribbed rays, of cruciform shape, atop a rose of four petals. On the reverses, two narrow bands of hammered silver sheet are crossed and riveted to the edges to allow the pieces to be slipped onto a belt or strap. Three pieces have these complete, but missing on the "rose" example, and one of the stars shows a loss of one of the bands. Roundels overall Very Fine, or better, with most of the gilding complete. The "rose" a little chipped and bent, with more of the silver visible. Average Diameter: 3". Important and rare! A very affordable group of historical Greek silver.
Estimated Value $1,750-UP.
These pieces may be compared to the metalwork discovered in the royal tomb at Vergina, Macedon. and thought to be that of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The frequent appearance on artifacts retrieved from the excavations would seem to indicate that this type of star may have been a royal ensign.
It was said that these pieces were part of the accoutrements on a soldier's armament. They could well work as such, but more likely these were ornaments to a horse's trappings. But as an aside to that possibilty, ownership and maintenance of a horse by a soldier in ancient Greece would also indicate that the person was one of some affluence and social status. This, along with the possible cachè of "royal" because of the motif on the pieces, can suggest that the owner of these was attached to the guard or calvery of one of the kings of Macedon.
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| Realized $1,438 |
