Scythian Gold Sheet with Gorgon

Culture: Scythian

Period: 5th-4th century B.C.

Material: Gold

Dimensions: 3.7 cm x 2.7 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 5036

Provenance: Collection of the Munich art dealer Bayerlein. Acquired in the 1960s. With a written confirmation from the grandson. Thence Antiken-Kabinett Gackstätter, Frankfurt, with inventory number 04120. With certificate of Antiken-Kabinett Gackstätter.

Condition: Missing piece on the lower right corner. Except for some small cracks intact.

Description: The wrought gold sheet depicts a winged Gorgon running to the left. Her body is represented in high relief, her round face with bulged out eyes facing the beholder. The Gorgon has long hair with curls cascading to her shoulders. In her left hand holding an attribute. Winged heels complement the open pair of wings in the back. The scene is framed by a dotted pattern. Through the perforations in the corners the sheet was sewed on a cloth and had an apotropaic function. As known, Gorgons let everyone, who looked at them, turn into stone. The Scythians took this belief from the Greek culture.