Necklace

Beads of this necklace are spherical and hollow. The surface of each is covered with images of birds and animals. The outline of the images is outlinedmade with filigree wires, and the entire inner surface is covered with fine grains of gold. Three pairs of birds alternate with images of equilateral crosses in a circle on three beads. Three pairs of animals are depicted under the filigree arches of the fourth bead. The beads have no analogues, although some elements resemble Scandinavian filigree ornaments of the 10th and 11th centuries. They are characterized by images, the contour of which forms a filigree wire, and the inner surface is densely covered with grains of gold, as well as bands of tiny balls are framed with the wires. Such elements are also characteristic of Egyptian and Syrian jewelry art, which is prone to more openwork in contrast to the Scandinavian finds. The master tried to give openwork to these massive beads by cutting holes between the figures. The numerous beads in the treasure were not connected. Therefore, various options for the reconstruction of the necklace are possible. Probably, gold filigree beads are alternated with stone ones.