About this artwork
These precious bronze objects are votives, or devotional gifts, which were offered to the gods. They come in many forms. Some are miniature sculptures of animals, primarily horses, deer, and birds. Others are items of personal adornment, including beads and brooches. Many seem once to have been attached to something else. This assemblage is characteristic of the thousands of votives that were hung from sacred trees or placed in sanctuaries around Greece. Once a shrine was full, the votives were ceremonially buried to make room for more offerings.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 151
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Department
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Greek
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Title
- Biconical Bead Necklace
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Place
- Greece (Object made in)
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Date
- 800 BCE–600 BCE
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Medium
- Bronze
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Dimensions
- 3.6 × 5.1 × 3.6 cm (1 3/8 × 2 × 1 3/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Alexander
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Reference Number
- 2008.563-569
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/210760/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.