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Necklace with imitation coin pendants
The central pendant features a portrait of Julia Dornna, wife of emperor Septimius Severus (r. A.D. 193-211). On either side are portraits of their son, the emperor Caracalla (r. A.D. 211-17), which in turn are flanked by portraits of an earlier emperor, Antoninus Pius (r. A.D . 138-61). The faux coins are die stamped in one piece with their ornamental frames. On the backs are designs taken from bronze coins issued in Egypt in the early third century under Septimius and his successors in the Severan Dynasty: a lion, a winged Victory, a triumphal chariot, a reclining figure representing the Nile, and a female goddess. Spool-shaped beads sep arate the pendants, and at either end are larger beads decorated with shells and palmettes.
A pair of loop-in-loop chains doubles back through the end beads to form a quadruple string. By pulling on the end beads, the circumference of the necklace is enlarged, making it easier to place it over the head without undoing the clasp. This ingenious system occurs in only four other necklaces, two of which are said to have been found in Egypt. These other necklaces use real gold coins as pendants, and among their imperial portraits are those of Julia Domna and Caracalla. The Severan emperors were anxious to associate themselves with the popular Antonine Dynasty, and their supporters in Egypt would have been eager participants in any imperial propaganda initiatives, being grateful for Caracalla's extension of the Roman citizenship to all the inhabitants of the empire. This extravagant luxury object would have carried a subtle message of imperial harmony while gracing the throat of its wealthy owner.
A pair of loop-in-loop chains doubles back through the end beads to form a quadruple string. By pulling on the end beads, the circumference of the necklace is enlarged, making it easier to place it over the head without undoing the clasp. This ingenious system occurs in only four other necklaces, two of which are said to have been found in Egypt. These other necklaces use real gold coins as pendants, and among their imperial portraits are those of Julia Domna and Caracalla. The Severan emperors were anxious to associate themselves with the popular Antonine Dynasty, and their supporters in Egypt would have been eager participants in any imperial propaganda initiatives, being grateful for Caracalla's extension of the Roman citizenship to all the inhabitants of the empire. This extravagant luxury object would have carried a subtle message of imperial harmony while gracing the throat of its wealthy owner.
