Jewel - Necklace Bronze

This is an exceptional piece of jewelry that was created by the sculptor Panagiotis Tzafolias, inspired by the silver coins found in the shipwreck at Antikythera. The Antikythera shipwreck contained silver and copper coins, worn and encrusted with sea materials. The silver coins are cistophoric tetradrachms (coins with a particular pattern and equal in value to four drachmas) from Pergamos and Ephesus. One side depicts a “ciste” (a sacred woven basket from which the name of the coin is derived) encircled by an ivy wreath. On the other side two snakes are depicted entwined around a “gorytus” (a leather quiver) and an arrow, one of the weapons used by Heracles.