Hexagonal pendant
'The pendant consists of a decorative frame with a broad suspension loop and of a rare double solidus of Constantine I in mint condition.
The obverse shows the emperor's left profile. He wears a crown, cuirass, and paludamentum, raises his right hand in salutation, and holds a decorated globe in his left. The legend 'D N CONSTANTINVS AVG' encircles the bust. On the reverse the consular busts of two Caesars face each other. Crispus is on the left and his younger half-brother, Constantine II, on the right. Each of them holds a globe and an eagle-tipped scepter, which cross. The legend reads 'CRISPVS ET CONSTANTINVS NOBB CAESS COSS II.' In exergue: SIRM. The medallion was minted in Sirmium on the occasion of the second consulship of Crispus and Constantine II, on AD 1st of January 321.
The frame is an engrailed hexagon and decorated with six relief busts. Because the six busts on the hexagonal pendant cover less space than the eight on the octagonal pendant, the interstices are
larger. These more ample spaces allow the use of a large heart-shaped motif, formed by floral scrolls, spirals, and a small ivy leaf of reserved gold set between the tondi, and of running scroll tendrils
filling the spandrels.
Marking lines are visible in the plain zone around the mount and in the area of the tondi. On the back of the pendant, fine ridges cross the plain area of the tondi, while they are hidden on the front by the busts.
The arrangement of the busts is in pairs, each combining a male and a female bust. As the order changes from one pair to the next, the busts alternate male and female. The following description begins with the bust at the top right and follows around clockwise.
No. 1: bearded male, nearly facing front, with a pierced scalloped band around his neck and possibly a mantle around his shoulders. Except for a single lock in the center of his forehead, the curly hair is receding. The eyebrows protrude in one single line over slightly slanted eyes, the nose is flat with flaring nostrils, and the large ears pointed. The pierced neckband seems to indicate fur. An interpretation as Silenus seems convincing.
No. 2: nude female, head slightly inclined to the left, chin lifted. Her hair, parted in the center, frames her face in soft waves and is gathered in an old-fashioned topknot on the crown of her head. The coiffure, the dreamy expression, the sensitive mouth, and the nudity suggest an interpretation as Venus.
No. 3: male youth, nude, nearly facing front. His short hair is arranged in spiraled locks standing out in high relief, and his face is oval with a high forehead and large ears. The muscular neck is elongated. The short hair, the nudity, the idealized face, and the general expression suggest an interpretation as one of the heroes of classical mythology.
No. 4: female, head inclined to the right and forward. A carefully draped cloak completely covers her hair and part of her forehead and falls down over both shoulders, following the line of her neck. The eyes are particularly large with deeply incised lower lids.
No. 5: a male youth, nude, in a three-quarter view, head slightly inclined toward the right. His short hair is arranged in spiraled curls, leaving the ears free. Except for the fuller cheeks the head is very much like that of bust no. 3, and again an interpretation as one of the heroes of classical mythology seems most likely.
No. 6: young female, draped, head inclined toward the right. Her hair is brushed in soft strands to the sides, covering her ears. The face is dominated by large eyes with pronounced curved lower lids, classical profile, and small mouth. The features create a melancholy, if not sad, expression.'
Quantity
1
Weight
61 g
Length
9 cm
Width
8 cm
Start Year
370
End Year
390
Comment
Dumbarton Oaks, Byzantine Collection, BZ.1975.6.1-2
Material
Gold
Hoard
References:
Reference
Comment
http://www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/constantine-pendants
This object
Yes
