The exhibition Art in Gold. Jewelry in the Hellenistic Age opened in Athens

During the Hellenistic period, which followed the conquests of Alexander the Great, the art of jewelry reached its peak.

What messages did the iconography of jewelry of this era convey? What jewelry did members of the aristocracy prefer? How did brides adorn themselves before their wedding ceremonies? What pieces of jewelry accompanied the adult dead, and which ones accompanied those who had passed away too soon? How were these exquisite examples of ancient goldsmithing art created? Can the Hellenistic tradition inspire contemporary creators?

These and many other questions are explored in the exhibition 'Art in Gold: Jewelry in the Hellenistic Age'. With the participation of 30 museums and the Ephorate of Antiquities in Greece and five international museums, it presents unique collections of gold jewelry from the Hellenistic period (323-30 BC). Among them is a large part of complex pieces of jewelery from the 'Thessalian / Karpenisian Hoard', which is shared by the National Archaeological Museum in Athens and the Benaki Museum.

Contemporary creations by Peter Bauhuis, Akis Goumas, Patrick Davison, Pura Ferreiro, Anastasia Kandaraki, Lucia Massei, Dimitris Nikolaidis and Despina Pantazopoulou, inspired by jewelry from the Benaki Museum, will be exhibited alongside antiques.

The exhibition "Art in Gold. Jewelry in the Hellenistic Age" is part of the "Benaki Museum Collection and Contemporary Design" action of the "Attiki" Program, Partnership Agreement 2021-2027, and is co-financed by the European Union.

The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina at this important international exhibition are represented with items from the famous jewelry hoard from Ošanjići near Stolac. In Greece, for the first time in history, 27 bronze, iron and silver items were exhibited as a representative, small part of the well-known already mentioned hoard. The exhibition is accompanied by informative texts and graphics, as well as videos and animations about the basic techniques of jewelry making.

The exhibition will be open until April 27, 2025. in the Benaki Museum in Athens.