Greek, Ionic or Ptolemaic, ca. 350 BCE. Delicate Gold Bee is probably a clothing element. From consignor: "Today we know, the goddess Artemis is associated with both the stag and the honey bee. In the Ionian city of Ephesus, Artemis has been shown with bees on her belt or skirt. In fact D. G. Hogarth, who excavated the earliest levels of an Artemis sanctuary there, found gold ornaments associated with the goddess. Some in the shape of bees, that were likely attached to an image of Artemis' garments. This bee, may very well represent one of those elements. This bee was the last of a group of about a dozen similar bees sold by a private collector. The double sided bee was made from two very thin gold foil sheets. They represent the back and underside of a honey bee. The two were apparently joined together over a bitumen core. A tiny attachment ring is fixed near the bee's mouth. The detailed anatomy seen here is absolutely remarkable. Especially on such a small scale. The bee's back is accurately expressed, as the back of a living bee. It has veined wings, a detailed head with multiple eyes, and lined abdomen. Likewise, the underside is also especially well defined, with even more detail. There we see; a rib lined abdomen, clearly veined wings, and tucked under legs! It is a work of art in it's own right. 1/2"L

Provenance: Ex-Private Boulder CO Collection, acquired at auction.


All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

Choice.