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BACK OF PENDANT ABOVE SHOWING RARE, PERFECT OBVERSE DETAIL OF EMPEROR IN FULL BATTLE DRESS
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PROTECTOR - ADVOCATE OF WOMEN ROMAN BRONZE HUNTRESS GODDESS ARTEMIS COIN PENDANT IN 14K YELLOW GOLD 217 - 218 A.D. In over two decades of making unique, custom jewelry, I can recall very few pieces that really moved me as much as this one does. I guess it is the unusual marriage of an ancient artifact and its mythological meaning with the theme that was used in the creation of the pendant frame. This is also one of the most impressive and beautiful large Roman bronze imperial coins I have EVER used in my ancient coin jewelry. Above is a GENUINE huge Roman bronze coin minted in 217-218 A.D. under the rule of Macrinus in the ancient Roman province of Nikopolis. Both the obverse (which shows an incredibly well preserved and detailed image of the emperor in full battle dress) and reverse are impeccable and impossible to improve. This made it tough to decide which side to feature but as I studied more about what the goddess ARTEMIS on the reverse side meant in ancient mythology, I was immediately moved to accentuate such amazing history and the meaning it held to the Romans as much as it can be so meaningful to us today! It certainly is to me because the underlying theme of Artemis was all about the respect, elevation, adoration and protection that women deserve. After nearly 2000 years since this coin was minted, this perspective is still lacking today in so many cesspools of our "modern" society. Hopefully, the wearer of this coin can promote its intended message. Because of its immense size, the ancient engraver was able to impart considerable detail and artistry to this massive bronze Roman coin. The goddess Artemis is featured advancing forward, with one hand holding her silver bow and the other reaching over her shoulder for an arrow. The coin was perfectly struck and is close to, if not, uncirculated in its immaculate state of preservation. Artemis is seen in her more ancient Greek rendition - tall, slender and wearing a short tunic. The patina of the bronze coin is extraordinary and it contrasts in a breath-taking manner with the bright polished 14K yellow gold setting. That setting has been designed as one giant arrow, as if wrapped around the coin of Artemis. The arrowhead is embellished with three .01 ct each diamonds and the entire arrowhead surface is made in 14K white gold to emulate the arrows of moonlight that Artemis fired from her silver bow. The bail where it goes on a chain is hidden behind the feathers of the tail of the arrow and this is large enough for this piece to be used as a slide on a wide Omega chain up to 10 millimeters wide. There's so much to this piece to love - its beauty as it displays as well as its immense inner meaning in ancient history. As a genuine artifact of the Roman Empire, it certainly will be amongst your most important and prized pieces of jewelry in your collection! This is definitely the only one I have made or will make so no worries going to a party and ever seeing another remotely like it! Guaranteed to be the talk of any get-together and the envy of all who missed owning it! The assimilation of the Greek culture into the Empire caused the Romans to adopt many of the Greek deities as their own. Artemis was one of the most powerful and highly revered goddess' to both the Greeks and Romans. The goddess Artemis was a Virgin Huntress. She is called Goddess of the Hunt, of wild untamed nature, and of the moon. She haunts the woods, the groves, and the meadows where she hunts and dances with her attendant nymphs and oceanids, the 3000 nymph children of the titans Oceanus and Tethys who were patrons of springs, rivers, oceans, lakes, ponds, pastures, flowers or clouds. Her symbol is the she-bear and the laurel is sacred to her. The ancient Greeks called her the Huntress of Souls. She protected the wild places and animals. To her was known the deep places in Nature where one could rest and regain strength. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, born a twin to her brother Apollo. Both children are associated with the bow. Apollo is said to use the curved bow and Artemis uses the silver bow. In Greece she was sculpted as tall, slim, lovely, and dressed in short tunic. A friend to mortals, she dances through the countryside in her silver sandals giving her divine protection to the wild beasts, particularly the very young. She rides her silver chariot pulled by silver stags, across the sky and shoots her arrows of silver Moonlight to the earth below. Artemis was born first and then was able to help with the birth of her brother, demonstrating one of her many functions - that of a goddess of childbirth. Violence in of itself was abhorrent
to her, yet she was swift to deal out unrelenting punishment to
offenders, especially those who threatened or
harassed women. Artemis is an upholder of purity and
standards, and quick to anger. When Actaeon the hunter spied her
naked while bathing, she changed him into a stag and he was ripped apart
by his own dogs. When Callisto, one of her nymphs, was seduced by
Zeus, Artemis killed her with one of her arrows. Artemis is one of
only three deities who are immune to the enchantments of Aphrodite
demonstrating her iron will, chastity and independence from men. A wonderful and important artifact from the ancient world as well as a stunning centerpiece for a most unusual and visually impressive fine jewelry creation. Overall size is a stunning 44 mm x 32mm. CPR112 SOLD COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY / HISTORY SHEET *** shown with optional CHAIN B, not included |
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