HELLENIC & BYZANTINE JEWELRY
The unquenchable thirst for exploration and knowledge turned the Greeks into fearless seafarers and traders who, traveling throughout the Mediterranean, brought wealth back to their homeland while promoting the development of arts and crafts.
Jewelry of the Minoan civilization, which flourished on the island of Crete around 2400 BC, speaks of the luxury and high aesthetics of this magnificent culture, as can be seen from the frescoes of the Palace of Knossos.
Gold was widely used and techniques such as filigree and granulation were introduced into jewelry, using brilliant gemstones from the Eastern Mediterranean.
Alexander the Great's conquests of Persia, Asia Minor and Egypt led to a dynamic revival of aesthetics, motifs, forms and techniques.
Despite the high level of skill achieved so far, the art of jewellery reached its peak during the Byzantine Empire from the 4th century AD to the mid-15th century. The empire was blessed with untold wealth, inexhaustible gold and prosperity.
With religiosity as its focus, Christian crosses and religious symbols became widespread and jewellery was worn as an everyday adornment and a symbol of prestige, creating an unparalleled and uniquely luxurious style.
