Gold Ornament with a Herakles Knot in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Gold ornament with Herakles knot
Greek, 1st half of the 3rd century BC

Accession # 13.234.6

The Herakles knot, which was thought to have the power to cure wounds, was a popular motif, especially on Hellenistic jewelry. Here it is combined with small satyrs' heads and chains ending in bell-shaped floral pendants. The ornament may have formed part of an elaborate diadem.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.