This page was created by Junyi Wu. The last update was by Amanda Luyster.
What does this Necklace tell us about the Medieval Globe?
This necklace, as one small piece of jewelry from the long-ago Byzantine Empire, might go unnoticed. But the precious stones tell stories, like the political ambition of the Emperor. Behind the dainty piece can be read a map of the medieval globe, since the gold, emeralds, sapphire, pearls, and other stones were mined and discovered in different places of the world. The materials and style of the necklace convey the global travel and communication of the medieval world. The focus on the color of found stones connects this piece to the Floor Mosaic Border with Peacocks, which is also constructed from beautiful small colored stones. But most importantly, crafted in the time and place of a wide variety of conflicts, the necklace tells a story of the resilience of people in search of beauty.