Pair of Gold Bracelets, possibly from Cyprus: 6th century AD
The gold bracelets consist of bands of semi-circular section embossed with decorative tendrils sprouting from cornucopia (horns of plenty), fastened by movable openwork discs, each ornamented with a cross. This style of ornament is also found on stone sculpture of the late 6th century, helping us to date the bracelets as "late antique". Contemporary bracelets of the same form are known in which the hoop is executed in openwork rather than by embossing.
The importance of religion in daily life is shown by the motif. Another example found in Syria (now in the British Museum, London) shows the Virgin Mary.
