Phoenician Gold Work in the Museum of Cádiz
A short tour of the selection of Phoenician jewellery preserved at the Museum of Cádiz.
By Museo de Cádiz
Museo de Cádiz
Phoenician Jewelry
The gold work constitutes one of the most important collections of funereal items found in the Cádiz necropolis. The high number of pieces and the common features that define them suggest that there were local workshops, which were mainly active between the end of the 7th century B.C. and the middle of the 5th century B.C., although they survived for a much longer period. They are pieces of gold or gold and silver alloy, produced using plating, filigree or granulation techniques. The decorative themes are mainly Eastern in origin, especially Egyptian, with anthropomorphic and plant motifs, most of which have a religious significance.
Spheric pendant. Phoenicia (-626/-501) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Pendant in the form of a sphere with diamond and triangle ornamentation, made from gold using a granulation technique. Its symbolism may relate to the universe.
Astral pendant. Phoenicia (-626/-501) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Pieces of a necklace made up of a round silver medallion and others in a half-moon shape. The motifs are embossed on metal plating and lined with small balls.
phaenician-punic earring (-559/-549) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Boat-shaped earring with falcon heads (Horus) from which hangs a protome (Hathor) with a chain running from its lower section that is divided into three sections, with baskets on the end.
Phoneician Necklace (-500/-300) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Necklace with gold beads and cornelians with a double-faced broach. On one face there is a semi-circular piece of amber in the center and on the other is a symbolic, nude Hercules.
Phoenician medallions (-500/-300) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Earrings made from circular plates with trimmed edges, with a rosette of eight petals in the middle made of filigree wire with a ball in the center. There are traces of enamel on the petals.
Punic Pendant (-450/-376) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Gold pendant portraying different gods with the main figure being Ptah-Pateco.
Phoenician Necklace (400 BC - 301 BC) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Reconstruction of a necklace with various elements found in the same tomb. It features gold beads, a cornelian, a round medallion with a rosette, and pendants in the form of a ram's head and grooved flask.
Ring. Phoenicia (-400/-301) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Bezel ring with gold plated copper hoops and mounted stone set in a piece of cornelian.
Punic earrings (-400/-351) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Rings formed of gold plated copper rods between which is a plate with filigree decoration. Attached is a rosette held between hooks, the petals of which may have contained enamel.
Amulet Cases
Designed to hold a thin plate, normally made of silver, and containing protective spells. They all have Egyptian iconography and were found in the "Punta de la Vaca" in Cádiz in 1891.
Porta-amulet pendant. Phoenicia (-400/-301) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Pendant case with amulet from the 4th century B.C. Made up of a gold cylindrical base, a hollow bronze body, and sealed with a falcon's head embossed in gold with a solar disk and uraeus. It is a representation of the god Horus.
Porta-amulet pendant. Phoenicia (-400/-301) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Pendant case with amulet from the 4th century B.C. Made from a gold cylindrical base, a hollow bronze body, and sealed with a lion’s head embossed in gold with a solar disk and uraeus. It is a representation of the goddess Sekhmet.
Holder pendant amulet shaped pyramid (-400/-301) by UnknownMuseo de Cádiz
Pendant case with amulet from the 4th century B.C. Made from a tiered gold base, a hollow bronze body with an inscription, and sealed with a gold pyramid. It is meant to represent an obelisk.
Phoenician Gold Work in the Museum of Cádiz
Organised by:
Museo de Cádiz
Consejería de la Junta de Andalucía
Curated by Juan Alonso de la Sierra
Texts: Juan Alonso de la Sierra
Photography: Museo de Cádiz
Digital edition: José A. Chilía
Museo de Cádiz
