Two Rare Ancient Etruscan Large Votive Amber Beads
Two Rare Ancient Etruscan Large Votive Amber Beads
One carved with the Archaic Face of the Goddess Core or Persephone
The other of biconical oblate disc shape
Circa 600 - 500BC
Sizes:
A: 4.5cm dia, 2cm deep - 1¾ ins dia., ¾ ins deep / 6.5cm high - 2½ ins high (on base)
B: 3cm high, 3cm wide, 2.5cm deep - 1¼ ins high, 1¼ wide, 1 ins deep / 9.5cm high - 3¾ ins high (on base)
NOTE: B: Now Sold
One carved with the Archaic Face of the Goddess Core or Persephone
The other of biconical oblate disc shape
Circa 600 - 500BC
Sizes:
A: 4.5cm dia, 2cm deep - 1¾ ins dia., ¾ ins deep / 6.5cm high - 2½ ins high (on base)
B: 3cm high, 3cm wide, 2.5cm deep - 1¼ ins high, 1¼ wide, 1 ins deep / 9.5cm high - 3¾ ins high (on base)
NOTE: B: Now Sold
Amber was imported from the Baltic by the ancient Etruscans and regarded as a luxury item of high status. Prized for its colour, it also had a special significance as it was possessed of electrical properties. When rubbed amber develops a negative electrical static enabling it to pick up fibres or lint and this phenomenon was observed by Plato and Aristotle during the 4th century BC. Indeed our word ‘electricity’ comes from ‘elektron’, the Greek name for amber. Amber’s electrical properties and its golden sun-like colour underlie the amuletic and curative properties ascribed to it.
Two Rare Ancient Etruscan Large Votive Amber Beads
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