NEOS KOSMOS
The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens Newsletter, No 11 August 2018
Newsletter
“Hellenistic Gold Jewellery in the Benaki Museum, Athens” by Dr Monica Jackson
One of the most important developments involving the AAIA community
since the last Newsletter was the publication of the book Hellenistic Gold
Jewellery in the Benaki Museum, Athens written by AAIA Governor
and Executive Board member Dr Monica Jackson and published as
a collaborative project by the AAIA and the Benaki Museum, one of
Greece’s premier cultural institutions.
Dr Jackson is an acknowledged expert on the jewellery of the Hellenistic
period, those centuries that followed the death of Alexander the Great
and which ran through to the incremental establishment of Roman rule
in the eastern Mediterranean. In her most recent offering, she masterfully
presents the history of the Benaki Museum’s Hellenistic gold jewellery
the collection as well as the pieces themselves, which are simply outstanding.
The collection rates are among the most important of its kind in the world
and this is most clearly illustrated in this publication. Dr Jackson has
written a book that is a prime medium through which this fascinating
material can be brought to the attention of an audience that extends far
beyond the confines of academia.
All these points were appreciated by the many people that attended the
book’s launch in the magnificent surrounding of MacLaurin Hall at the
University of Sydney on February 15. This launch followed a similar event
in Athens, in December 2017, at the Benaki Museum itself, at which a
number of speakers, including the Emeritus Director of the Benaki
Museum (and now, sadly, late) Professor Angelos Delivorrias, presented
the book to the Athenian public.
At the Sydney event, the book was launched by the Provost and Deputy
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Stephen Garton, and the
Acting Director of the AAIA, Dr Stavros Paspalas, while the author
presented a brief outline of the publication, for which she should be
warmly congratulated.
Hellenistic Gold Jewellery in the Benaki Museum, Athens and through the AAIA.
AAIA Newsletter: No. 11, August 2018
ISSN 2200-0003
Sydney Ofce
AAIA - Madsen Building (F09)
The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
Sydney Phone: +61 +2 9351 4759
Sydney Fax: +61 +2 9351 7693
Sydney Email: arts.aaia@sydney.edu.au
Athens Phone: +30 +210 924 3256
Athens Fax: +30 +210 924 1659
Athens Email: aaia@otenet.gr
Riley Concannon
One of Australia's most talented artisan jewellers. Riley designs and works in Sydney with precious metals & found objects.
Riley Concannon's exquisite gold Nike earrings were inspired by a pair in the Chai Chak Wing Museum ancient jewellery collection at The University of Sydney. His earrings may be viewed on Riley’s Instagram post: Gold Nike earrings
 |
| Three good friends who share similar interests: Riley Concannon, Julia Booth & MonicaM wearing Riley's silver grape cluster earrings. Julia Booth is a lecturer in Strategic Communication at The University of Sydney, she has published widely and has a particular interest in ancient jewellery: Julia Booth CV |
For all inquiries: Riley Concannon-jeweller Riley Concannon
GREEK CITY TIMES
Dr Monica M. Jackson
shares her expertise on Ancient Greek Jewellery
You would be hard pressed to find
someone who has not marveled at the jewellery adorning ancient Greeks. Boasting
shades of vibrant gold and intricate workmanship, designers to this day
continue to draw inspiration from ancient Greece, including creations of coins
for necklaces and earrings, as well as leaf motifs.
Her latest work is “Hellenistic Gold
Jewellery in the Benaki Museum Athens”, a book about jewellery houses in the
famous Benaki Museum in Athens, one of the most astounding private collections
in existence, showcasing each of these precious artefacts and detailing their
significance.
Her latest work is “Hellenistic Gold
Jewellery in the Benaki Museum Athens”, a book about jewellery houses in the
famous Benaki Museum in Athens, one of the most astounding private collections
in existence, showcasing each of these precious artefacts and detailing their
significance.
Dr Monica’s book reveals the typology
of the ornaments and the elaborate techniques of their manufacture and a
separate chapter is also devoted to the historical frame, in which goldsmithing
flourished.
The book, which was launched at
Benaki in Athens last year, will now be unveiled in Sydney, this Thursday, 15th
of February, at the University of Sydney.
GCT recently caught up with Dr
Jackson to chat about her passion for archaeology, ancient jewels and her
wonderful new book.
What made you enter the field of
archaeology?
At a young age growing up in a small
country town I dreamt of becoming a famous artist – the dream was encouraged by
several first prizes in the local shows. My interest in archaeology began in my
second last year at Loreto College boarding school in Brisbane when I
discovered the heroes of the ancient world such as Alexander the Great and
Hannibal. My Ancient History teacher, Sister de Montfort took a particular
interest in my progress. I was awarded the Ancient History prize and gained an
‘A’ grade in the matriculation exams.
What made you want to specialize in
ancient jewellery?
During the 1990's I participated in excavations conducted by Professor Alexander Cambitoglou. From time to time fragments of Hellenistic West Slope pottery were discovered. Exquisitely gilded designs of wreaths and necklaces often decorated the necks and shoulders of these vases. It was at this time that the idea of specializing in ancient jewellery captured my imagination.
What is the most interesting part of
the collection you have based your book on?
The collection incorporates a wide
range of jewellery types, which give an insight into the nature and use of
jewellery throughout the wider Hellenistic world, as far as the western reaches
of Central Asia. The chapter ‘Seven Objects: Seven Stories’ exemplifies these
interconnections.
What is the most exciting part of
your work, and also what is the most challenging?
Micro and miniature techniques of the
ancient goldsmiths are the most exciting but also the most
challenging. Traditionally archaeologists have tended to marginalize the
so-called ‘Minor Arts’ and in particular miniature techniques. Today attitudes
are changing, particularly as jewellery is now accepted and published as
archaeological artefacts. The ability to examine gold jewellery under the
optical microscope is the way forward.
What is the most significant item you
have ever come across?
The most significant item is a pair
of Eros earrings joined by a fine loop-in-loop chain (Inv. 1562). The dancing
Eros holding aloft a cup kantharos has a hidden dimension, discovered under the
optical microscope. The smiling face is in fact a comic theatre mask, which may
be the goldsmith’s hidden signature.
What lesson do you hope people take
away from reading your book?
That every object has a story to
tell. Each technically sophisticated piece provides an insight into the
competitive world of the Hellenistic goldsmith-jeweller, who worked
collaboratively – but demonstrated his individuality in surprising ways.
Greek City Times - Dr-Monica-M. Jackson
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Book Launch: Dr Monica M. Jackson
‘HELLENISTIC GOLD JEWELLERY IN THE BENAKI MUSEUM, ATHENS’
facebook.com/greekcitytimes/posts
Book Launch: Dr Monica M. Jackson
‘HELLENISTIC GOLD JEWELLERY IN THE BENAKI MUSEUM, ATHENS’
Date: Thursday 15 February 2018, 6.00 pm
Venue: MacLaurin Hall – Main Quadrangle,
The University of Sydney
Followed by light refreshments (free event)
Venue: MacLaurin Hall – Main Quadrangle,
The University of Sydney
Followed by light refreshments (free event)
The book will be available for purchase at the launch and following that at the Sydney University Nicholson Museum gift shop.
Sydney Museums/publications/catalogues
Sydney Museums/publications/catalogues
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