Arethusa Coin Link Bracelet

Description

The beautiful head of Arethusa on this bracelet was developed from a silver coin in the Museum’s collection. It was minted during the Classical period, 405–400 B.C., in Syracuse, one of the most flourishing Greek cities in Sicily. Appearing as the identifying image on coinage of Syracuse from the sixth through the fourth century B.C., Arethusa’s head is shown surrounded by dolphins.

22K gold overlay. Matte finish. Toggle closure. 7 1/2''L.

Art History

In Greek mythology Arethusa was a water nymph, personifying the phenomenon of a sweet-water spring on an island surrounded by the salt sea. The story goes that Arethusa was pursued by the hunter Alpheus in the region of Elis, on the Greek Peloponnese. Arethusa transformed herself into a spring and escaped under the sea to Syracuse, Alpheus followed and became part of the same spring.