Ancient Near East, Achaemenid Persian Empire, ca. 550 to 330 BCE. A gorgeous pair of circular bracelets composed of cast bronze, each with a sturdy composition forming a hollow open loop with zoomorphic terminals. Roughly rectangular, each terminal is symmetrically decorated with an abstract dragon-style head featuring almond-shaped eyes, stylized locks of hair, and attenuated snouts. The terminals of one bracelet are touching without being fused together, and those of its partner are separated. Each bracelet is covered in layers of russet- and emerald-hued patina, giving them a fabulous archaeological surface. Size of largest (separated terminals): 4.25" Diameter (10.8 cm).

The Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE (including Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Caucasus, Thrace and some parts of India) is generally regarded as one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. Its capital, Pasargadae, was Cyrus the Great's final resting place and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Despite the Achaemenid Empire’s obsession with gold and silver, their proficiency in crafting high-quality bronze items is ultimately what lead to their prominence in antiquity. Their healthy economy and widely-established network of roads enabled the conduct of commerce and trade with nations both near and far, thus allowing for the acquisition of high-quality materials. Bronze was used to create countless types of finer items including jewelry, furniture attachments, statues, and weaponry at prices far more affordable than equivalent examples opulently formed from silver and gold.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#132456

Both bracelets have surface wear commensurate with age, slight bending to overall forms, fading to terminal details, and scattered areas of light roughness, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits as well as great russet and green patina throughout.