NON-IRISH ANTIQUITY : GIRONA FINDS

Necklace or Collar, Gold with Lapis Lazuli and Pearl

'Necklace or Collar. Eleven of a presumed set of twelve mounts for portrait- cameos of Roman Emperors; six of the blue lapis lazuli portraits survive, the other five are in varying states of preservation. the best preserved, almost in it's original condition, still bears at the sides its original complement of four pearls, held on a fine gold wire. At the top of each frame is a little grotesque mask; the shoulders supporting this have a little setting filled with green enamel. the actual cameos are backed by little oval plates of gold, held in place by little triangular teeth. The rings on the backs by which the cameos were connected to one another show that they were worn as a necklace or collar, one on top of the other, six on each side: the ring at the top lies along the long axis, while the ring at the bottom is at right angles to it. A certain controversy exists as to the identity of the Emperors represented: Robert Stenuit considers them to be Byzantine, including Michael first Rhangabe, Stauratius and Constantine second'. From Flanagan, L. (1988) Ireland's Armada Legacy, p.198

gold with lapis lazuli and pearl

BELUM.BGR.5

National Museums NI