Junyi Wu, 2026

"No actress of mimes shall wear gems...of course we do not forbid them to wear...gold without gems on their necks, arms, and girdles."   ----Justinian I 593AD

The necklace decorated with sapphires and emeralds was made between 500s-600s. It corresponds with the Early Byzantine Period that was marked with the reign of Justinian I and an impression of the empire prosper in political power and wealth. Nevertheless, the time between 500s and 600s was not a short one and certainly not a stable one. The easter border of the empire witnessed constant conflicts with borders kingdoms and ethnic groups. And the peasant-born Emperor Justinian I was eager in using luxury artistic objects to ascertain his position as the imperial ruler. In 593 AD, he announced that the gemstones should be preserved for the use of imperials. Could it also be one of his steps of securing his image as an emperor?