A Greek gold bracelet made in the Hellenistic period is to headline a sale of ancient jewellery at Christie's New York on December 11 with a valuation of $150,000-200,000.
The lot dates to sometime between the 2nd and 1st century BC and is adorned with a pair of lynx heads, a motif that appears often on jewellery from the period.
 The bracelet dates to between the 2nd and 1st century BC |
The Hellenistic era saw Greece at the height of its power in the ancient world, although this was followed by a period of decline in the 1st century that ended with an invasion by Rome.
The growth in personal wealth led to demand for complex and elaborate jewellery, with the result that much of the greatest Greek jewellery dates to this period.
A similar bracelet, executed in the 3rd century BC, realised $149,000 at Christie's last year.
A 1st-2nd century AD Roman obsidian and gilt glass ring carries an estimate of $80,000-120,000.
There are relatively few Roman rings fashioned from a single piece of stone, making this a highly desirable collector's piece.
It depicts the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, best known as the patrons of sailors, travellers and athletes, among others. The engravings have been covered with gold foil.
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