Enameled Gold Necklace

These elements composed of 14 tubular beads, 6 lotus-pointed pendants and one central circular pendant, were once assembled together to form a necklace. Some still show the use of blue, red, green and white enameling. Such elements recall the fittings and early jewellery of the Umayyad period but showing more intricate incisions et decorations. A piece now in The Metropolitan Museums of Art shows almost identical features (17.190.161). Another parallel can be made with the treasure of Mondujar and Bentarique (Almeria), from which some Nasrid pieces are now in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid (51033). Parallels can be drawn with eastern pieces, especially with the use of lotus flowers of a Central Asian origin and used among other types of objects on Turkish and Italian textiles of the same period. Alongside other jewellery sets like belts or earrings are representative of the Andalusian craftsmanship in goldsmith, producing for an elite. Such pieces would certainly be used in the context of weddings or as pieces of prestige by members of the elite and the court, during official ceremonies.