SET OF 39 ORNAMENTAL ELEMENTS Gold Eastern Mediterranean, c. 4th-3rd century BC Provenance European private collection, acquired from Dr. R. Deutsch, Archaeological Center, 27/09/2010, lot 223 This exceptional collection brings together a group of Hellenistic gold ornamental sconces, presented in a natural wood museographic frame on an unbleached linen background, testifying to the refined art of funerary and clothing adornment in the late Greek world. The ensemble is made up of a number of characteristic types: multiple circular appliques in embossed gold leaf decorated with rosettes, stylised floral motifs or divine heads in relief (probably Helios, Medusa or apotropaic deities), intended to be sewn onto ceremonial garments or precious shrouds; triangular appliques forming repetitive geometric motifs; and three remarkable centrepieces - two magnificent, finely chased myrtle or laurel leaves with their veins delicately rendered by stamping, and a larger central oval leaf adorned with a pronounced midrib. These elements, made from extremely fine gold leaf (between 0.1 and 0.3 mm thick) using the repoussé and stamping techniques, were sewn onto precious fabrics - purple, royal linen or imported silk - by means of small peripheral holes that are still visible, creating an effect of sparkling sumptuousness during religious ceremonies, triumphal processions or funeral rites. Laurel and myrtle leaves, sacred plants associated with Apollo and Aphrodite respectively, were highly symbolic in the Greek world: they evoked victory, eternal glory, love and immortality, and traditionally adorned the crowns of victorious athletes, crowned poets and illustrious dead. Inherited from the Mycenaean tradition and magnified in the Hellenistic period, the practice of gold funerary sconces enjoyed considerable influence in Alexander's successor kingdoms - Macedonia, Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria and the Greek cities of Asia Minor - where the Hellenised elite displayed ostentatious luxury in both death rituals and public ceremonies. The finesse of the workmanship, the variety of iconographic motifs and the excellent state of conservation of this collection make it an exceptional example of Hellenistic goldsmithing and aristocratic funerary practices, illustrating the belief in the glorious survival of the soul, adorned in gold like the gods of Olympus. A Set of 39 Hellenistic gold ornamental elements. 4th-3rd Century BCE This exceptional collection brings together ornamental appliqués from the Hellenistic period, presented in a museographic natural wood frame on an ecru linen background, testifying to the refined art of funerary and vestimentary adornment in the late Greek world. The ensemble comprises several characteristic typologies: multiple circular appliqués in repousse gold leaf adorned with rosettes, stylized floral motifs, or divine heads in relief (probably Helios, Medusa, or apotropaic divinities), intended to be sewn onto ceremonial garments or precious shrouds; triangular appliqués forming repetitive geometric patterns; and three remarkable masterpieces-two magnificent myrtle or laurel leaves finely chased with their veins delicately rendered by stamping, and a larger central oval leaf adorned with a pronounced median vein. These elements, crafted in extremely thin gold leaf (between 0.1 and 0.3 mm thickness) using repousse and stamping techniques, were sewn onto precious fabrics-purple, royal linen, or imported silk-through small peripheral holes still visible, creating a dazzling effect of sumptuousness during religious ceremonies, triumphal processions, or funerary rites. Laurel and myrtle leaves, sacred plants respectively associated with Apollo and Aphrodite, held profound symbolism in the Greek world: they evoked victory, eternal glory, love, and immortality, and traditionally adorned the crowns of victorious athletes, crowned poets, and illustrious deceased. This practice of gold funerary appliqués, inherited from the Mycenaean tradition and magnified during the Hellenistic period, enjoyed considerable influence in the successor kingdoms of Alexander-Macedonia, Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria, and Greek cities of Asia Minor-where Hellenized elites displayed ostentatious luxury in death rituals as in public ceremonies. The fineness of execution, variety of iconographic motifs, and excellent state of conservation of this ensemble make it an exceptional testimony to Hellenistic goldsmithing and aristocratic funerary practices, illustrating the belief in a glorious survival of the soul adorned in gold like the gods of Olympus.