Vintage Earrings with Antique Bronze Coins of Alexander the Great

Each of these earrings features an ancient bronze coin from the reign of Alexander III of Macedonia (336–323 B.C.) or from the first few decades following his death. With a diameter of about 16 mm, they are among the smaller bronze coins that were minted for everyday transactions throughout the Macedonian realm. Unlike the famous silver tetradrachms, these coins were primarily intended for local circulation and were produced at numerous mints throughout the empire. Alexander III of Macedonia (356–323 B.C.), better known as Alexander the Great, is considered one of the most significant rulers of antiquity. As the son of Philip II, he ascended the Macedonian throne in 336 B.C. and, through his campaigns against the Persian Empire, created within a few years a world empire that stretched from Greece to the Indus River. His conquests marked the beginning of the Hellenistic era, during which Greek culture, language, and art spread across large parts of the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East. The coins depict the head of Heracles, facing right, wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion. This depiction recalls the first of the hero’s twelve labors: his victory over the invulnerable Nemean Lion. The Macedonian royal house traced its lineage back to Heracles, which is why Alexander deliberately featured the hero on his coins as a symbol of royal strength, bravery, and divine legitimacy. Although Heracles is officially depicted, scholars also interpret the image as an idealized allusion to Alexander himself. High-karat gold settings frame the coins, and their cord-style soldered joints mimic the design language of ancient pieces of jewellery. Clips with a clasp make the designs wearable. On the back, a small cutout offers a glimpse of the coins’ reverse. Here, one can make out Heracles’ club as well as a bow and quiver, accompanied by the Greek inscription “ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ” (“[coin] of Alexander”). After Alexander’s death in 323 B.C., his successors—the so-called Diadochi—continued to mint this type of coin for decades with virtually no changes, making it one of the most famous and influential coin designs of the Hellenistic world. The earrings were made in Greece in the 1980s, where workshops such as Lalaunis had popularized the use of ancient artifacts and ancient-style designs. This beautiful pair found its way to us from Amsterdam.

Estimación:€2,690

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