Isidora Portrait Necklace

This fashionable jewelry is inspired from cascading pearl earrings depicted in a striking mummy portrait, from the first century CE, in the Museum's antiquities collection at the Getty Villa. 

- Dimensions: Pendant measures 1 inch L x 3/4 inch W
- Chain measures: 16 inches with a 2 inch extender
- Materials: 14k gold plate, brass, white beads, lobster clasp closure
- Imported
- Item #: 0726P

Painted in encaustic wax and enlivened with gilding, every aspect of this Romano-Egyptian portrait identifies its owner as a person of substantial wealth and social position. The name Isidora (ICIDOPA) is written in Greek in red paint on the right upper shoulder of the mummy wrappings, and must refer to the deceased once encased in this "red shroud" mummy. Isidora's impressive earrings are distinguished by their unique size and luxurious materials and served as the inspiration for this 14-karat gold plated reproduction.

Mummy Portrait of Isidora
Attributed to the Isidora Master (Romano-Egyptian, active 100 - 125)
Romano-Egyptian
Egypt
CE 100
Encaustic on linden wood; gilt; linen
18 7/8 × 14 3/16 × 5 1/16 in.
81.AP.42