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Jewelry and Seals :
Bracelets : Bactrian Silver Torque
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Bactrian Silver Torque - SP.227
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 330
BC
to 100
BC
Dimensions:
7.25" (18.4cm) high
x 8.25" (21.0cm) wide
Collection: Jewelry
Medium: Silver
$6,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
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A silver necklace in the style of a torque, the
beauty of this item lies in its simplicity. Of
Greco-Bactrian origin, the culture that produced
this item was a synthesis of Alexander’s
Macedonian Greece with that of the local regions
influenced by his conquest. The shape of the
item is semi-circular, formed of silver rod. The
two terminals are flattened discs, each singly
pierced, and rest several inches apart from one
another. The rod from which the torque is made
is of a quadrangular cross-section, tapered
towards the ends and thicker in the middle, and
is gently twisted from end to end. The surface of
the metal is inscribed with various designs,
including a longitudinal line running the length
of each face, and toward the thicker middle, hash
marks resembling the barbs of a feather.
Perhaps other ornaments, such as rings or gems,
might have hung from the torque when worn
around the neck.
The untold stories that this artifact must bear
silent witness to, carried perhaps by soldiers as
evidence of their conquest, or worn by Bactrian
beauties to adorn the bosom, are tantalizing to
entertain. What can be said about such an item
is that it stands as a testament to the beauty
carried by simplicity, and the noble
craftsmanship of the lands that Alexander
sought to conquer. Perhaps a necklace such as
this was worn by the Bactrian princess Roxanne
on the night of her wedding to Alexander.
- (SP.227)
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