File:Hairnet, hinge at back - Getty Museum (92.AM.8.1).jpg

From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Original file (6,485 × 4,204 pixels, file size: 5.82 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg)

Captions

Captions

Ptolemaic hairnet in the Getty Villa

Summary

Object

Ptolemaic hairnet  wikidata:Q124852538 reasonator:Q124852538
Artist
Unknown authorUnknown author Edit this at Wikidata
image of artwork listed in title parameter on this page
Title
Hairnet Edit this at Wikidata
title QS:P1476,en:"Hairnet Edit this at Wikidata"
label QS:Len,"Hairnet Edit this at Wikidata"
Part of Collection of Ptolemaic jewelry Edit this at Wikidata
Object type hairnet Edit this at Wikidata
Description

This elaborate gold hairnet is one of the few surviving from antiquity (the contemporary “Schimmel” hairnet in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, inv. no. 1987.220, is another) and is an example of the extraordinary level of achievement that was possible for goldsmiths in the 3rd century BC. It is considered to have been made in the same goldsmith’s workshop, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, as the Diadem.

The hairnet consists of four elements: the central medallion, the tassels and chains, the net, and the circular clasp. Made to enclose a gathered bun of hair at the back of the head, the fabrication of the hairnet is remarkable for the quality of its execution. The medallion consists of a central repoussé bust of Aphrodite with Eros clinging to the drapery on her left shoulder. The Ptolemaic queens often presented themselves as descendants of Aphrodite; here, the goddess’s features and hairstyle are similar to those of Queen Arsinoe II (ca. 316 – ca. 270 BC).

Two concentric bands of filigree separated by rows of beads surround the center. The innermost band consists of a running pattern of framed acanthus leaves (identical to the inner frieze on the Schimmel hairnet noted above); the outer band is filigreed with a step pattern perhaps once inlaid with enamel, now lost. Running filigree as used here, constructed from lengths of wire rather than short pieces connected together, can also be seen on the Diadem and indicates the work of a master gold-smith. Garnet and gold beaded tassels dangle from the medallion and clasp. The net is comprised of bands of gold spool beads linked by tiny filigreed chains, their intersecting points articulated with tiny masks of Dionysos and actors. The circular clasp is embellished with a large Herakles knot, floral tendrils, ivy leaves, and berries.

The association of Arsinoe II with Aphrodite on the hairnet finds parallels on other items in the Assemblage of Ptolemaic Gold Jewelry, such as the identification of Tyche/Fortuna with Arsinoe II on the carnelian ring. Commonalities between the materials and the workmanship of many objects in this group indicate they were made by Greek goldsmiths working in more than one workshop in Alexandria, Egypt, and were created to be worn as an ensemble. While a royal context can be ascribed to the group, the association cannot be extended to the royals themselves. It therefore seems possible that the original owner was an elite of the exclusive circle of dynastic princesses, who, ornamented in her golden finery, served the queen in one of the royal cults devoted to her worship.

Depicted people
Date between 225 and 175 BC
date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0225-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0175-00-00T00:00:00Z/9
 Edit this at Wikidata
Medium gold, gemstone and glass paste Edit this at Wikidata
Dimensions height: 21.6 cm (8.5 in) Edit this at Wikidata; width: 7.9 cm (3.1 in) Edit this at Wikidata; depth: 7.6 cm (2.9 in) Edit this at Wikidata
dimensions QS:P2048,+21.6U174728
dimensions QS:P2049,+7.9U174728
dimensions QS:P5524,+7.6U174728
institution QS:P195,Q180401
Current location
Accession number
92.AM.8.1 (J. Paul Getty Museum) Edit this at Wikidata
Place of creation Ptolemaic Kingdom Edit this at Wikidata
References
Other versions

Photograph

Description
English: Ptolemaic hairnet in the Getty Villa Edit this at Structured Data on Commons
Source

The Getty Center, Object 103Z0E

This image was taken from the Getty Research Institute's Open Content Program, which states the following regarding their assessment that no known copyright restrictions exist:
Open content images are digital surrogates of works of art that are in the Getty's collections and in the public domain, for which we hold all rights, or for which we are not aware of any rights restrictions.

While the Getty Research Institute cannot make an absolute statement on the copyright status of a given image, "Open content images can be used for any purpose without first seeking permission from the Getty."

More information can be found at http://www.getty.edu/about/opencontent.html.

Author J. Paul Getty Museum
Permission
(Reusing this file)
Creative Commons CC-Zero This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
The person who associated a work with this deed has dedicated the work to the public domain by waiving all of their rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Other versions

File history

Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.

Date/TimeThumbnailDimensionsUserComment
current03:46, 15 March 2024Thumbnail for version as of 03:46, 15 March 20246,485 × 4,204 (5.82 MB)DEGA MD (talk | contribs)Uploaded a work by The J. Paul Getty Museum from getty.edu with UploadWizard

Metadata