ROMAN PENDANT IN THE SHAPE OF HERCULES’ CLUB
Ca. 100-200 AD.
A hollow-formed gold pendant shaped like a tapering cylinder with applied filigree detailing and small gold dots; there is an integral loop on top whilst the bottom is a small gold dome with a central finial. Johns (1996, 129) argues that there is no doubt that this type of pendant is a highly stylised representation of the club of Herakles, depicted in Roman art as a heavy, tapered club with protruding knots (stylised here as dots). Johns also argues (ibid) that in antiquity this type of pendant, which has been found throughout the Roman Empire, had a talismanic significance. It has even been suggested by Ogden (1982) that Hercules’ club pendant may have been regarded as a love token. To find out more about this type of pendant, see Johns, C. (1996). The jewellery of Roman Britain: Celtic and classical traditions / Catherine Jones. London: UCL Press; Joachim Werner (1964). "Herkuleskeulen und Donar-Amulett". Jahrbuch des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums Mainz; Ogden, J. (1982). Jewellery of the ancient world / Jack Ogden. London: Trefoil Books.
Size: L:31mm / W:6mm ; 2.5g
Provenance: Previously with R.U., Parthenon Gallery, London; Formely in the 1970s Collection.
Estimate: GBP 600 - 900