Artemis / Diana. A necklace of the Goddess of the wilderness. Greek / Roman art.

ARTEMIS / DIANA NECKLACE

GODDESS OF THE HUNT

Dimensions

Amulet size - length 3.5cm / 1 - 1/2 inches

width 3 cm / 1 - 1/4 inches

Strand length - 48 cm / 19 inches

Made of a limestone / quartzite composition stone used for fine museum replicas it is relatively lightweight and easy to wear. It comes threaded on a length of plaited leather with silver clasps. The amulet has an aged, earthy colour and texture which has been given a light polish to create highlights.



The details are very fine and feature the Goddess is in full flight amongst reeds and rushes with her hunting hound.

Mythology
This superb feature necklace depicts the Goddess Artemis / Diana in full flight amidst the tendrils of plants and accompanied by her hunting hound. Located in modern day Turkey, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus was so grand it was renowned as one of the seven wonders of the world. A place of sanctuary and peace only a small portion of this temple survives in fact a single column and scattered marble drums of the original forest of columns.

Artemis was the ancient Greek name of this powerful Goddess and when the Greek empire faded she was absorbed into the rising Roman pantheon taking the name of Diana. She was associated with the moon, but woodlands and in particular groves of oak trees were her domain. She could be depicted in paintings, statuary and reliefs with bow and arrows as can be seen being held in this design. A distinctive head band was often worn and frequently a hound could be seen by her side. She was the daughter of Zeus / Jupiter and was the twin sister of her brother Apollo. Both born on the Island of Delos. In the Roman form of Diana she was worshiped in her own right or part of a triad. The other deities in this triad were the water nymph Egeria who served Diana and was also known as a midwife, and Virlius the woodland god.