Near East, Byzantine Empire, ca. 6th to 7th century CE. A stunning gold bracelet with a thick U-shaped band adorned with a pair of intricately interlinked medallions. The circular faces of these discs are stamped with circular motifs, connected by loops welded to their sides and to the terminal ends of the band. During this era, incorporating gold coins into jewelry was a common practice, and these discoidal medallions may have been fashioned after this style, often referred to as "pseudo-coins" or medallions. The utilization of currency in jewelry articulates, in tangible terms, what jewelry inherently represents ? social currency ? showcasing and negotiating the wearer's societal standing. It is highly likely that the wearer of such a bracelet, was asserting an elevated social status. Size band opening: 3" Diameter (7.6 cm); medallion: 0.75" Diameter (1.9 cm); weight: 33.2 grams

Provenance: private Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA collection

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#184837

Choice. Some minor indentations to the gold band. Dark patina and mineral deposits on the medallions and links. Intact and excellent.