South Arabian Gold Jewellery

South Arabian Gold JewelleryAuthor(s): Geoffrey TurnerSource: Iraq, Vol. 35, No. 2 (Autumn, 1973), pp. 127-139Published by: British Institute for the Study of IraqStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4199960 .

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1 27

SOUTH ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY

By GEOFFREY TURNER

The jewellery published here forms part of the Muncherjee Collection, a large assemblage of South Arabian antiquities formed by an Indian businessman and acquired some years ago by the Aden Museum.' Until recently a group of this jewellery was on loan to the British Museum, and I was there able to study it by the kind permission of Dr. R. D. Barnett and with the generous assistance of his staff. I am also grateful to the Aden Museum authorities for granting me permission to publish the jewellery. The drawings accompanying this article are the work of Miss Ann Seawright. By reason of their accuracy and accomplishment, they are far more descriptive than any verbal catalogue I am able to compose.

This article is intended only as a preliminary study of South Arabian jewellery. The group here described forms approximately a quarter of that in the Aden Museum collection, and it is hoped that at a later date a more detailed study of the whole collection will prove possible. In the meanwhile, any comments and observations on comparative and related material will be most welcome. With the exception of epigraphic sources, a survey of any facet of the South Arabian civilization is seriously hampered by the lack of stratigraphically excavated material, and although much has been brought to light by other means, especially sculpture, few serious attempts have been made to analyse the complex art forms of this culture. Likewise in this article I do not attempt a comprehensive analysis of the stylistic origins and develop- ment of the jewellery, but restrict myself to a simple description of the various pieces, quoting where possible any relevant parallels or comparisons.

Although there is no stratigraphic dating evidence and very little comparative material, it would appear that this group of jewellery spans a large period of time, probably from the 8th/7th centuries B.C. through to the 5th/6th centuries A.D. Much of the Muncherjee Collection is evidently of Qatabanian origin but none was scientifically excavated, and so as with most South Arabian antiquities, the dating must depend on either epigraphical evidence or comparison with isolated parallels. Of the jewellery studied here only one piece is inscribed, seal no. A. This can be dated to the 3rd/2nd centuries B.C. Of the other pieces, two agate stamp seals are closely comparable with Persian examples. That referred to below as no. C is almost identical in both design and in the form of its mount to one excavated at Hureidha in the Hadramaut. Both are of the Achaemenid Period. The other, no. D, is of typical Sassanian style of the 5th or 6th century A.D. Other items, especially rings and earrings, recall classical jewellery. For example the amphora earring, no. J, is to be compared with a similar group of late Hellenistic and Roman vase earrings and

1 A catalogue of the Muncherjee Collection was made by Gerald Harding, but it remains unpublished and I have not had access to a copy of it. A few of the

items of jewellery are illustrated by Bossert in Altsyrien, and by Brian Doe, Southern Arabia, as referred to below.



1'28 GEOFFREY 'T URNER

pendants; and bead no. 3 is comparable to Roman pendants of the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. For earlier comparisons the evidence is less substantial, but one example may be quoted here. Bead no. 33 consists of two gold collars with filigree decoration which now adorn a cornelian cylinder bead. In technique and design these closely resemble a late Neo-Assyrian gold bead from Nimrud, and also a Phoenician gold and amber pendant now in the British Museum. These parallels would suggest a date towards the end of the first half of the first millennium B.C.

The jewellery described below falls into two main categories: rings, seals and earrings, which are here referred to under the letters A to P; and a collection of gold, stone and glass beads and pendants which are now threaded together to form a bracelet and two necklaces. The gold beads are considered here under types no. I

to 45, but for the stone and glass beads only a brief general description is given. Where possible the Aden Museum inventory number is quoted for each item, but in some cases these numbers were not available.

Seals and Rings

A. Inscribed gold seal M 6o. 416 (Plate XLVIII). A heavy gold inscribed seal of oval cabouchon form, pierced longitudinally and

the under-side inscribed in sunken relief in Himyaritic with a two line text giving the name and clan of the owner, 'MYD' (of the clan) dMRT'M; decorated above with the figure of a crouching ibex and below with that of a prancing gazelle, within a punched border and with a punched line between each zone. Length: 2 50 cm.; width: I 55 cm.

The reading of the inscription is that of Dr. Arthur Irvine to wlhom I am most grateful. On epigraphic grounds he suggests that the seal was made c. 300-100 B.C.

Bossert illustrates both this and two similar seals, Altsyrien, Tafel I373.

B. Gold seal set with an intaglio-M 6o. 427 (Plate XLVIII). A gold " fob " seal of lozenge outline with convex underside and elongated

pyramidal bodv, the suspension ring of heavy wire, the tapering ends of whlich follow the two longer ridges of the pyrarnid, the convex underside set with an oval garnet or red glass intaglio engraved with the head of Athena wearing a crested helmet, shown in profile facing to left (in the impressioin to right). Total height: 2 s05 cm.; total width: 2 50 cm.

c. Agate stamp seal on gold suspension loop-M 6o. 413 (Plate XLVIII). The gold waisted U-shaped loop of solid wire tapering towards the two ends

which are bound and connected by a double strand of thinner wire; the double strand threaded with a white and pale brown banded agate stamp seal of elongated cabouchon form, engraved with the figure of a composite beast with ram's hind-legs, winged and with bearded human-head, standing with the right hind-leg set forward and the right fore-hoof/hand resting on an offering table( ?), the left fore-hoof raised over the table. Total length: 3 IO cm.

A similarly engraved and mounted seal was excavated by Miss Caton Thompson



SOUTH'1 ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY I29

at Hureidha in Tomb A 6.2 This seal was likewise of banded agate engraved with a standing composite genie, and the mount though of silver was of similar waisted U-shaped form but with the addition of a threaded suspension ring. Frankfort dated the Hureidha seal to the Achaemenid Period.3

D. Agate stamp seal on silver suspension loop M 6o. 535 (Plate XLVIII). A banded agate button stamp seal engraved with a Janus bust, the two distinct

heads facing in opposite directions, both bearded and helmeted, the mutual bust wearing a wide collar decorated with three six-pointed stars; with four dots above the heads; the seal pierced and threaded on a penannular suspension ring of thick twisted silver wire. Greatest width: I *50 cm.

This seal is typically Sassanian of the 5th/6th century A.D.,4 and may have come to Southern Arabia either through trade links, or as the property of a Persian settler in the Yemen. The number of such immigrants increased greatly in the second half of the 6th century, and in A.D. C. 570 Southern Arabia was invaded by the Sassanians, becoming for a short while a Persian satrapy.

E. Gold ring set with a glass intaglio-M 6o. 4355 (Plate XLVIII). A gold ring with hollow hoop (damaged) of thin gold over a composition core, of

oval outline and oval section, expanding up to the shoulders of the oval bezel; the bezel set with a flat glass intaglio (damaged) engraved with a lion attacking a gazelle or stag. Greatest diameter: 2 50 cm.

Doe illustrates two similar gold rings, each set with a banded agate intaglio.6 In style and design these can be closely compared with Roman rings of the Ist-3rd centuries A.D.

F. Silver ring set with a cornelian intaglio-Museum number not known (Plate XLVIII).

A silver ring with circular hoop of low semi-circular section with raised oval bezel; the bezel set with a flat cornelian intaglio engraved with an amorphous design, possibly the unfinished figure of a fish. Width of bezel: I * 70 cm.

Although the engraving of the design appears incomplete, there is little reason to doubt the authenticity of the intaglio. The silver mount, on the other hand, although possibly "antique" has little appearance of "antiquity ", and may well be of relatively recent manufacture.

Earrings

G. Pair of gold earrings-Museum number not known (Plate XLIX). A pair of gold earrings, each with a penannular wire hoop to which is soldered a

2 G. Caton Thompson, The Tombs and Moon Temple of Hureidha (Hadramaut), 88, and pls. XXXVIII I5 and XLIV 1-3.

3 Caton Thompson, op. cit., IOI-103. 4 For double bust but not Janus seals see A. D. H.

Bivar, Catalogue of the Western Asiatic Seals in the

British Museum, Stamp Seals II: The Sassanian Dynasty, pl. 4 BB 1-4. 1 am grateful to Dr. Bivar for his dating of this seal.

5 Illustrated by Doe, op. cit., pl. VIII. 6 Doe, op. cit., pl. VIII.



130 GEOFFREY TURNER

narrow horizontal bar with below two adjacent conical bell-shaped beads eaclh attached to the horizontal bar by a small spherical finial and each with a raised lower edge to which is applied a double beaded border. Height: 2 00 and I 85 cm.

In design these earrings can be compared with two beads on necklacc M 6o. 352,

type no. I3 as described below.

H. Single gold earring M 6o. 475 (Plate XLIX). A single gold earring or earring component, the long wire loop of U-outline with

hooked terminal, tapering from a flat elongated oval plate the outer surface of which is completely covered with granulation and which is fitted with a cylindrical collar similarly decorated with three granulated bands. Length: 2 50 cm.

As indicated by the open socket of the collar, this earring originally probably formed part of a larger piece, some form of drop or other appendage fitting into the socket.

j. Single gold " vase" earring M\4 6o. 446 (Plate XLIX). A single gold earring with tapering penannular wire hoop of triangular outline,

one end fitted with a collar formed of a central band of heavy granules set between twisted wire borders, the hoop threaded with a vase-shaped drop, the amphora-type vessel with inverted conical base and body, high rounded shoulder, cylindrical neck, flaring rim and two double spiral S-shaped handles, the closed mouth of the vase soldered to a suspension ring decorated with two double granulated bands. Total height: 3 30 cm.

This earring is to be compared with a group of Late Hellenistic and Roman earrings similarly mounted with vase-shaped drops, either of amphora or less commonly of oinochoe form, for example F. H. Marshall, Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, pl. LI; and H. Hoffmann and V. von Claer, Antiker Gold- und Silberschmuck, I02-3, no. 66. I cannot, however, find another example where the amphora is given an angular rather than a rounded body as in the present piece, possibly indicating a local adaptation of a classical motif.

Similar beaded collars with wire borders are also found on earrings nos. K, L and N and likewise beads of the same composition on the two necklaces and bracelet to be described below, bead type no. 44.

K. Single gold earring--Museum number not known (Plate XLIX).7 A single gold earring in the form of a ring of rhomboid section and of penannular

outline but with the two pointed terminals touching and threaded with three beaded collars, the ring attached above to a vertical hollow rod with pierced spherical upper finial decorated with beaded collars and from which branch off two double strands of flat wire projecting on to the shoulders of the penannular ring in the form of loop handles, the pierced finial threaded on to the penannular tapering wire hoop, one end of which is fitted with a collar nmade up of a central beaded band set between flat discs. ReiOrht' 12 * r CM-

I Illustrated by Doe, op. cit., pl. VIII.



SOUTH ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY 131

L. Single gold earring-M 6o. 445 (Plate XLIX). A single gold earring with penannular tapering wire hoop, one end of which is

fitted with a collar made up of a central band of heavy granules set between twisted wire borders, the hoop threaded with a cross-shaped plaque suspended on two rings, the plaque consisting of a flat plate of shaped outline to which is applied a cross with flaring bifurcated arms, with a boss in each quadrant and a central, larger boss within a twisted wire border decorated with a granule superimposed in each angle (one lost), the two outer edges of the plaque applied with a wire double volute decorated with a granule in the centre of the curved arm and another in the centre of each spiral. The plaque: I 0oo x I -9o cm.

Whether this cross has any religious significance is difficult to assess. Christianity was introduced into the Yemen from Abyssinia in the 3rd century, but on the other hand the cross is found in Western Asiatic art from the earliest periods. In jewellery, for example, cross-shaped plaques have been excavated at Ephesus dating from c. 8th century B.C.,8 and similarly shaped Phoenician pendants are known from the 7th/6th century B.C.9 Without stratigraphical evidence, therefore, this motif cannot be used as a dating criterion.

M. Single gold earring-M 6o. 407 (Plate XLIX). A single gold earring of wide circular penannular plate form, made up of five

concentric bands; the outer band of heavy granulated beads, then a wide band of flat section, the third of plaited wire, the fourth of plain thick wire, and finally the inner band of heavy granules similar to the outer one; for attachment the penulti- mate inner band of thick wire tapers at either end into bound loops of finer wire, with a third wire ring soldered to one end of the outer granulated band. Diameter: 2 ' 20 cm.

The design of this earring can be compared with Iranian examples of the Achaemenid period-R. Ghirshman, Persia: from the origins to Alexander the Great, 264 fig. 322-3.

N. Single gold earring-M 6o. 380 (Plate XLIX).10 A single gold earring in the form of a wide, flat semi-circular disc edged with

double bands of beaded wire; the disc decorated on both sides with nine rows of applied concentric roundels, with double- and triple-wire bands between; the diameter of the disc perforated with a U-shaped segment, the curve of which is followed by the lower part of the penannular wire hoop, one end of which is fitted with a beaded collar with raised borders. Diameter: 4 ' 30 cm.

P. Single gold earring-M 6o. 385 (Plate XLIX). A single gold earring almost identical to the preceding, but slightly smaller; each

side of the disc with eight rows of filigree roundels; the collar of the hoop damaged and part deficient. Diameter: 3 *40 cm.

8 Marshall, op. cit., pl. IX. 9 Marshall, op. cit., pI. XXIII.

10 Illustrated by Bossert, op. cit., Tafel 1379.



1 32 GEOFFREY 'T'URNER

Beads and Pendants

The two necklaces, M 6o. 352 and M 6o. 54I, and the bracelet, M 6o. 343," are made up of various beads and pendants of gold, stone and glass, threaded together in their present form in recent years.12 It is more than possible that many of the beads originate from the same item ofjewellery, but we have little indication either from their present form or from iconographical representations as to how they were originally arranged. In this study, therefore, the two necklaces and the bracelet are not considered as individual items, but an analysis is made of the various types of beads and pendants now strung thereon. The gold beads are here classified into forty-five different types, grouped together under four main categories: rosette and pendant beads; spacer beads; cylindrical cornelian spacers with gold collars; and disc and collar beads, etc. Finally a brief description is given of the various types of stone and glass beads.

Rosette and Pendant Beads nos. 1 - I6:

i. Two examples M 6o. 352 (Plate L). The figure of a standing panther (?), the hollow body of slender section with the

two sides completely covered with heavy granulation but the edges undecorated; the tail of twisted wire with granulated finial, and with ribbed suspension ring attached above the back. Length: I *50 cm.

Bossert illustrates a necklace strung with six beads of this type, op. cit., Tafel 1 376. Both in this case and for type no. 2 it is difficult to distinguish which member of the feline family is represented.

2. One example M 6o. 541 (Plate L). The cloisonne figure of a standing panther (?), both sides decorated with geometric

panels inlaid with blue, red, green and paste of other faded colours, the edges plain; with wire looped tail, and with ribbed suspension ring attached above the back. Length: I 28 cm.

3. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate L). A roundel formed of two discs set back-to-back, each embossed with the bust of a

winged Nike shown full-face, the left breast draped, the right exposed; each disc with a twisted wire border; with a long ribbed cylindrical thread-rod to one side. Diameter: I 30 cm.

Originally these roundels were probably fitted with a second thread-rod, attached above the Nike's head at right angles to the present one. This would be a more logical means of suspension, but does not explain the position of the existing thread- rod.

In design and execution these roundels can be compared with Roman pendants of

" All illustrated by Doe, op. cit., pi. VII. 12 Bossert illustrated another necklace on which are

strung six beads of type no. x (op. cit., Tafel 1376), which may indicate either that these have been

rearranged since he photographed them, or that the original number of these beads which doubtless come from the same item of jewellery have been split up to be threaded in their present form.



SOUTH ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY I 33

the 2nd/3rd centuries A.D.-Marshall, op. cit., no. 263I (P. 303 and pl. LV); and no. 2705 (p. 312 and pl. LVI).

4. One example-M 6o. 352 (Plate L). A roundel, both sides decorated in cloisonne with interlacing square and triangular

panels forming a multiple eight-pointed star rosette and inlaid with glass paste, the colours faded but green and blue evident; the edge with applique roundels set between beading and raised borders; the roundel pierced across its diameter, the two thread-holes with heavy beaded collars. Diameter: I I5 cm.

This bead is made in two distinct units, the central roundel enclosed within the outer collar.

5. One example-M 6o. 352 (Plate L). A rhomboid bead similar to the preceding and likewise made in two distinct parts,

both sides worked in cloisonne with a rosette of cross-form with central roundel, four leaf-shaped arms and with loops in the quadrants, inlaid with glass paste, the colours including pink, red and yellow(?); the edge applied witlh two granulated bands of triangles; pierced across the corners, the two holes with heavy beaded collars. o*85 cm. square; greatest width: I 40 cm.

6. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate L). A gold roundel set with a banded agate " eye " stone; the roundel with raised

sides of thin section with beaded upper border, one example with solid back, the other open-backed; pierced across the diameter but with no thread-rods, and threaded with a circular cabouchon banded agate bead cut with dark brown lower stratum, white/pale grey surround and dark brown pupil. Diameter: i o IO cm.

7. Two examples-M 6o. 343 (Plate L). A roundel similar to the preceding, of stepped section with solid back, raised sides

and an upper border of two beaded and two wire bands arranged alternately; with two parallel cylindrical thread-rods of spirally twisted fine wire with collars of thicker wire; the roundel pierced across its diameter anid threaded with a circular cabouchon banded agate " eye" stone with pale grey lower stratum and dark brown irregularly outlined pupil. Diameter: I * 8o cm.

Whether the banded agate beads found on nos. 6 and 7 were intended to have any optic significance is not known. Such beads possess a natural decorative quality, and may well have been worked in this fashion for purely aesthetic reasons. On the other hand similar beads but inscribed with votive texts are found in Mesopotamia, dating from the second and from the first half of the first millennium B.C. These were evidently of cultic significance and, it is generally assumed, were intended to represent an eye, possibly being inlaid in the recessed sockets of a divine statue.13

13 On Mesopotamian inscribed " eye " stones, see W. G. Lambert, RA 63 (1969), 65-71.



134 GEOFFREY TURNER

8. Five examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LI). A rosette, hollow-backed and worked in repousse with a central conical boss

encircled by eight smaller bosses, with two parallel thread-rods of slightly swollen cylindrical form with beaded collars. Diameter across the thread-rods: I 90-2 00 cm.

ga. Four examples-M 6o. 343 (Plate LI). A rosette similar to the preceding but formed of a disc of irregular circular outline,

to which are applied a central boss and eight smaller encircling bosses; the thread- rods as in no. 8. Diameter across the thread-rods: I 6o cm.

b. Two examples-M 6o. 352. Similar but with only one thread-rod.

Diameter: o go cm.

I0-12. Although distinct pieces, these three beads are now strung together to form the central pendant of necklace M 6o. 352, making an attractive group but originally possibly not intended as a single unit.

io. One example M 6o. 352 (Plate LI). A hollow conical bell-shaped bead, the lower edge of the cone with an applied

wire band of low semi-circular section, with an upper and lower border formed of two beaded bands. Length: o9go cm.

i i. One example-M 6o. 352 (Plate LI). A NVodus lIerculeus formed of two strands of tapering wire, soldered to a cylindrical

thread-rod with wide collars each of two beaded bands, the granulation heavy and clumsy. Length: 2 I0 cm.

I2. One example M 6o. 352 (Plate LI). A pendant composed of a hollow hemispherical bead decorated with fine filigree

granules forming a rosette, suspended on a short cylindrical rod with a horizontal thread-rod above with beaded collars. Length: 0 70 cm.

13. Two examples M 6o. 352 (Plate LI). A pendant formed of two adjacent barrel-shaped beads, each with borders of

double beaded bands, with a wire suspension ring soldered above. Width: o*85 cm.

Cf. earring G described above.

I4. Two examples-M 6o. 541 (Plate LI). An inverted U-shaped volute pendant of tapering wire, thle inward-curving

horns with spiral terminals, each decorated with a granule in the angle of the curve, a waisted suspension ring above. Length: o go cm.



SOUTH ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY 135

I5. Five examples-M 6o. 541 (Plate LI). A hollow drop of elongated conical form, the domed top attached to a horizontal

cylindrical thread-rod with beaded collars; one example with ribbed thread-rod. Length: i * i ocm.

i6. One example M 6o. 541 (Plate LI). An elongated conical drop closely similar to the preceding but with no thread-rod

above; instead it is pierced across its diameter, with beaded collars encircling the two thread-holes. Length: i oo cm.

Spacer Beads-nos. I7-27

17. One example-M 6o. 541 (Plate LII). A large hollow bead of ribbed spherical form, the deep flutes running parallel witl

the undecorated thread-holes. Diameter: I 25 cm.

i8. Eight examples M 6o. 352 (Plate LII). A hollow spherical bead composed of two symmetrical hemispheres; one example

with raised wire collars to the thread-holes. Diameter: approximately o 6o cm.

I9. Four examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LII). Two examples-M 6o. 352.

Twelve examples-M 6o. 541. A small, solid polygonally-faceted bead

Diameter: approximately o 30 cm.

20. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LII). A hollow, flat lozenge-shaped bead, made in two symmetrical halves; both sides

embossed with concentric lozenge panels, the edges plain, and the thread-holes with beaded collars. Length: o 8o cm.

2i. One example M 6o. 541 (Plate LII). A barrel-shaped, open-work bead, composed of two interlacing bands of wire loops,

the thread-holes with double beaded collars. Length: o 88 cm.

22. Two examples-M 6o. 541 (Plate LII). A hollow cylinder bead of slightly swollen form, made of sheet gold with over-

lapping longitudinal join, with double beaded collars. Lengths: o 43 and o 6o cm.

23a. One example M 6o. 541 (Plate LlI). A hollow cylinder bead of ribbed, slightly swollen form, with raised borders and

double-beaded collars. Length: o095 cm.



136 GEOFFREY TURNER

b. One example M 6o. 541.

A cylinder bead similar to the preceding but the body without ribbing, and witl triple-beaded collars. Length: I o5 cm.

24. Two examples-M 6o. 343 (Plate LII). A cylinder bead formed of spirally-twisted wire, with raised beaded collars.

Length: o 6o cm.

25. Two examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LII). A hollow spherical bead composed of two hemispheres, wvithin applied wvire

roundels, the thread-holes with beaded collars. Length: o 6o cm.

26. Eight examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LII). Twenty-four examples-M 6o. 352.

A waisted cylindrical bead made of sheet gold with overlapping longitudinal join. Length: approximately o 30 cm.

27. Four examples M 6o. 541 (Plate LII). A slender cylindrical bead formed of spirally-twisted wire, with spherical bead

terminals. Length: oo 6 cm.

Cylindrical Cornelian Spacers with Gold Collars Nos. 28-33.

On necklace M 6o. 54I there are threaded eight beads, each made up of a long cornelian cylinder, fitted with gold collars. Two examples are also decorated with a central gold band. The cornelian cylinders vary in length from I 55 to 3. IO cm. Four are true cylinders, and four slightly swollen. All are pierced longitudinally. In some cases it is evident that the gold collars were not originally intended for the cylinders which they now decorate, fitting either too tightly, in which case the collar has subsequently split, or too loosely. The amount of wear on the collars also varies greatly.

The gold mounts are here considered under six types.

28a. One example M 6o. 541.

A plain undecorated collar of band form, with closed pierced end with projecting rim. Diameter: o 70 cm., length: o 40 cm.

b. One example-M 6o. 54I.

A plain undecorated penannular band, forming an encircling collar. Length: o 6o cm.

29. Six examples M 6o. 54I (Plate LIII). A band collar with an applied frieze of wire double spirals, arraniged eitlher in

sequence or in confronting pairs, within double or triple wire borders; five examples with a closed and pierced end, and one example with both ends open. Length: o so-o Go cm.



SOUTH ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY I37

30. One example-M 6o. 54I (Plate LIII). An encircling band similar to the preceding, with applique double spirals set

between triple wire borders; both ends open. Length: oG65 cm.

31. Three examples-M 6o. 54I (Plate LIII). A band collar decorated with vertical rows of twisLed wire arranged in a herring-

bone pattern, within double-banded borders of similarly arranged wire; with one closed and pierced end. Lengths: o 57, o 65 and o 70 cm.

32. Four examples-M 6o. 541 (Plate LIII). A band collar composed of a short cylinder of spirally-twisted wire with four or five

bands of granulated beads; both ends open. Length: approximately o * 30 cm.

All four examples have suffered considerable wear.

33. Two examples-M 6o. 541 (Plate LIII). A band collar with granulated decoration in the form of two outer bands of

triangles containing a central frieze of lozenge-shaped panels; with twisted wire borders, and open ends. Length: o 6o cm.

These two collars, which now adorn either end of the same cornelian cylinder, may be compared with a similarly decorated miniature Late Assyrian gold cylinder bead, excavated at Nimrud and dated to the late 7th century B.C.14 Also comparable is the gold suspension mount of an amber bead strung on a Phoenician necklace in the British Museum.15 These parallels would indicate a date towards the end of the first half of the first millennium B.C.

Disc and Collar Beads, etc.-nos. 34-45.

34. Thirty-eight examples-M 6o. 343 (Plate LIII). Twenty-nine examples-M 6o. 352. Four examples-M 6o. 541.

A single-banded beaded collar, the granules varying in size and number. Diameter: approximately o o5-o 35 cm.

35. Twenty-three examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIII). A double-banded beaded collar.


36a. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIII). A cylindrical collar formed of five beaded bands.

Length: o -40 cm.

"Iraq 33 (197I), iio and Plate XXX a and d (ND 5325). References are also given here to similar beads from Altintepe and Ziwiye-K. R. Maxwell

Hyslop, Western Asiatic Jewellery, 200, 207 ff, and pis. 154 and I63.

1' Maxwell Hyslop, op. cit., 158, (BM I551).

IR 13



I38 GEOFFREY TURNER

b. Two examples M 6o. 352. A similar cylindrical collar but with four beaded bands.

Length: o * 3o cm.

37. Four examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIII). A single-banded beaded rosette collar.


38. Fourteen examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIV). Six examples-M 6o. 54 I .

A double-banded beaded rosette collar, similar to no. 37 but with greater variation of diameter. Diameter: o -40-o 85 cm.

39. Eight examples-M 6o. 54I (Plate LIV). A double-banded collar composed of two rows of granulated beads around a

central wire ring. Diameter: o0 70 cm.

40. Nine examples-M 6o. 54i (Plate LIV). A double-banded collar of disc form, composed of two or more rows of granulated

beads around a central ring formed of two or more strands of coiled wire. Diameter: o 70-0 o 80 cm.

4I. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIV). Six examples- M 6o. 54 I

A disc of spirally-twisted wire, the outer edge with a double-banded beaded border. Diameter M 6o. 352-0 55 cm.

M 6o. 54I two examples os 5o cm., four examples 0 70 cm.

42. Eleven examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIV). One example-M 6o. 54I.

A short, hollow cylindrical bead of slightly swollen form, with beaded collars. Length: o 45 cm.

43. Two examples-M 6o. 352 (Plate LIV). Four examples-M 6o. 54I.

A shallow, hollow drum-shaped bead, with short swollen cylindrical body, the closed ends with beaded collars. Diameter: o 5o cm.; width: o .25 cm.

44. A large group of beads, all basically in the form of a central band of large granulated spherical beads, bordered by collars either likewise of granulation or alternatively of wire. These may be compared with collars of similar design on earrings J, K, L and N, as described above.

a. Five examples-M 6o. 54I (Plate LIV). The collars in the form of two beaded bands applied to wire rings.

Length: approximately 0 40 cm.



PLATE XLVIII

A B

D F

South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Seals and Rings, A-F. Scale I: I.



PLATE XLIX

G H

J K

L M

N P South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Earrings, G-P. Scale I: I.



PLATE L

South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Beads, I-7. Scale 2: I.



PLATE LI

8 9

10 110 12

1 5

South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Beads, 8-i6. Scale 2: 1.



PLATE LII

17

20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Beads, i 7-27. Scale 2: I.



PLATE LIII

293

29 m 32

33 g t

* 0 2

34 35 36 37 South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Beads, 29-37. Scale 2: I.



PLATE LIV

38 39

40 41

42 43 44a

44b 44c 44d 45 South Arabian Gold Jewellery, Beads, 38-45. Scale 2: I.



SOUTHf ARABIAN GOLD JEWELLERY I39

b. Two examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LIV). The collars of wire of square section.

Length: approximately o 20 cm. c. Ten examples M 6o. 352 (Plate LIV). The collars in the form of two bands of spirally-twisted wire.

Diameter: o '45-0 Go cm. d. Two examples M 6o. 343 (Plate LIV).

One example M 6o. 352.

Seven examples M 6o. 541. Similar to c, but each collar with only one band of spirally-twisted wire.

Diameter: o 20-0*55 cm.

45. Four examples-M 6o. 54I (Plate LIV). A star-shaped collar, the five tapering arms swept back and decorated with a

granulated star-motif. Diameter: approximately o o6 cm.

These four beads are now threaded in two pairs, each forming the collars of a banded agate cylinder of swollen form. The total lengths of these beads are I 50 and I '30 cm.

Stone and Glass Beads With the exception of two biconical amethyst beads on necklace M 6o. 541, the

stone heads now threaded on the bracelet M 6o. 343 and the two necklaces, M 6o. 352 and M 6o. 54I, are all of cornelian or variously coloured banded agate. The bracelet M 6o. 343 is strung with twenty-two short, swollen cylindrical beads of these two stones, varying in length from o 6o to I 20 cm. Similarly shaped beads are also found on the necklaces, together with true cylinders and those of disc, spherical, barrel and flattened rhomboid forms.

On necklace M 6o. 54I there are also two disc beads of shell, now used as terminals at either end, and on necklace M 6o. 352 are strung two spherical red glass beads, which appear to be of recent date.



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South Arabian Gold Jewellery