Byzantine Vine Leaf Cuff Bracelet

DESCRIPTION

The Museum’s lightly antiqued Byzantine Vine Leaf Cuff Bracelet is based on an original gold bracelet that dates from the late sixth to early seventh century and was found in Karavas, Cyprus. Its finely wrought, elaborate grape-and-leaf pattern is typical of the distinguished workmanship of Byzantine goldsmiths.

24K gold overlay, lightly antiqued. Inner circumference: 6 1/2''. Traditional Byzantine pin closure.

ART HISTORY

Constantine the Great, emperor of Rome from A.D. 307 to 337, undertook two initiatives that forever changed the nature of the empire. He was the first emperor to officially tolerate and support Christianity, and he transferred the imperial capital to Constantinople (originally a small Greek town called Byzantion, now Istanbul, Turkey). The city served as a bridge between Europe and Asia. The first golden age of the empire, the Early Byzantine period, extended from the founding of the new capital into the 600s.