Gold bracelet of eight links

Object Details

• Label

  This bracelet's lightweight construction continues a characteristic of earlier Byzantine and Sasanian traditions. Each of the eight links consists of a pyramidal hollow "box," shaped from sheet gold and originally inset with a precious stone. On the sloping sides, inscriptions on a niello ground (blackened with a lead-silver sulfide mixture) bestow good wishes on the owner. Finely drawn sphinxes and griffins on the back of each link symbolize good fortune and well being.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Gold: The Asian Touch (September 10, 2005 to February 20, 2006)

  Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art (September 27, 1985 to November 17, 1986)

  Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)

  Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)

  2500 Years of Persian Art—Paintings, Metalwork (February 10, 1972 to June 15, 1973)

  Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Metalwork (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)

  Special Exhibition Afghanistan (September 3, 1963 to June 5, 1964)

  Near Eastern Art (January 1, 1963 to August 18, 1967)

  Persian Art (January 1, 1963 to September 3, 1963)

  Special Exhibition of Persian Art (May 1, 1960 to August 11, 1961)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 6 and 7 (February 25, 1956 to April 10, 1962)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Manuscripts, Pottery, Metalwork, and Glass (April 12, 1955 to November 21, 1955)

  Special Exhibition, Near Eastern Art (September 15, 1953 to February 9, 1954)

  Untitled Exhibition, Islamic Arts, 1947 (October 6, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Jewelry and Ornament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  900s, 800s, 700s, 1100s, 1200s, 1000s

• Topic

  Hammering, Gold, Silver, Kufic script, Art, Niello, Granulation (metal decorating), Arts of the Islamic World, Chasing

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians, Abbasids

• Language

  Naskh script

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry