HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND CENTURY B.C.

The strap necklace with beech-nut or other pendants became popular in Greece during the 4th century B.C. The proportions of the present example differ considerably from these earlier necklaces, but is closely paralleled by a necklace from Vulci, now in Berlin (see pl. 7.6 in A. Greifenhagen, Schmuckarbeiten in Edelmetall, vol. II). The Berlin necklace is also constructed of loop-in-loop chains linked with beads, which is unusual for strap necklaces. The same technique was employed for the radiating bands of an early 2nd century B.C. openwork hairnet from the Schimmel Collection, said to be from Egypt, now in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (see no. 197 in D. Williams and J. Odgen, Greek Gold).