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: female, inclining slightly to the left. Under a tiara, the hair is set in soft waves around the face. A veil drapes down the back of her neck and over the proper left shoulder. The poise and dignity of the representation recall the females figures with halos on the Constantinian ceiling frescoes in Trier. They have been interpreted as allegorical personifications with a possible resemblance to female members of the House of Constantine, and a similar allusion might be justified for this bust.
No. 2: bearded male, facing front, chin lifted upward. The short curly hair is brushed onto the forehead. The tip of a garment is draped over the proper left shoulder, and its minute piercing possibly indicates fur. An interpretation as the mythological hero Hercules seems most likely.
No. 3: statuesque young female, nearly facing front. A high forehead, smooth cheeks, classic profile, and sturdy neck are her noteworthy features. Above the forehead, the hair is held by a fillet, on the sides it is brushed back in loose strands. A pointed extension above the top of her head seems to be the tip of a crown tress.
No. 4: male youth, draped, in a three-quarter view. His Phrygian cap with pierced decoration and the curly hair framing his face recall similar features on a bust on the Cleveland pendant.
No. 5: young female, draped, in a three-quarter view. The hair is parted in the middle and brushed backward in generous strands, covering the ears. The end of a crown tress is visible above the top of her head.
No. 6: nude male, inclining slightly to the right. He wears a fillet around his forehead and grapes and leaves in his hair. Although the facial features and the pronounced Venus rings on the neck suggest an interpretation as a maenad, the general arrangement of opposing male and female figures suggests that this bust is a male. An interpretation as a youthful Bacchus (god of wine) is therefore most likely.'
Quantity
1
Weight
63.14 g
Diameter
9 cm
Start Year
370
End Year
390
Comment
The British Museum 1984,0501.1
Material
Gold
Hoard
References:
Reference
This object
Yes
