In the Greek period, wreaths from plants were worn on the head, becoming a big tradition of the Greek culture. Between the times 330-250 BC, gold was used to craft the Myrtle Wreath, which contained tiny details of the leaves to represent real-life foliage. The artwork is currently sitting in The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and is characterized as a piece of jewelry or adornment. [1]The Myrtle Wreath, made of beautiful material, detailed organic shapes, and texture, was worn as a religious symbol and announced social standings of Greek culture.

The myrtle wreath made of thin gold sheets was cut into leaves and blossoms, finished with stamped details, and connected to a gold circle of wire. Before the golden jewelry piece was made, the natural myrtle leaf wreath illustrated the social standings of the Greeks. Wearing a myrtle wreath was worn by great achievers and sought to be an important religious symbol. However, when the golden wreath was made, they were too fragile to wear, so they were found in burial sights instead. The gold was a significant symbol of victory and was a great piece to celebrate a death. Because the gold was so fragile and thin, they were discovered in closed-off areas such as in the grave. Gold was scarce in Greek culture, and just like today, it is still precious. The piece of jewelry is seen as very flashy and catches the eyes.

This beautiful wreath made of golden myrtle flowers and leaves was most likely discovered in a grave. This artwork was wrongly identified as a laurel wreath for several years. However, new evidence shows that the blades are Myrtle. Myrtle, a fragrant green, a sacred plant to Venus, the Greek goddess of love, and was thus a love emblem. Myrtle was also a sign of death and was connected with Persephone, the god of death, making it an excellent option for a burial wreath. The garland, which was too frail to be worn, was most probably sitting in the tomb to represent the deceased’s accomplishments during his lifespan.

The gold myrtle wreath, a sort of Greek artistic identity, was just on the verge of being a worldwide fashion for those who could purchase it at the time (or whose descendants could)Alexander the Great’s exploits in the 4th century B.C. made considerable resources prevalent in Macedonia and Alexandria accessible to Greek artisans. [2]The development of metalworking and jewel work developed new methods that stressed design and exquisite craftsmanship. The commerce channels built at this period remained to feed artisans well through the first century’s ad. Antiquity’s few actual gold wreaths were discovered in graves, in which they were used as tomb gifts. [3]This wreath was allegedly found near Corinthian in southern Greece. It does, unfortunately, seem to be Macedonian-made. A wreath strikingly similar to this was found in a Greek tomb near Vergina in the 1970s and 1980s.

The myrtle wreath is an ideal illustration of old realism. The artisan studied the laurel leaf and bloomed thoroughly before rendering these in gold. The flowers and blossoms all fashioned from simple gold pieces, embellished with embossed or engraved features, then wire-attached to the golden ring. Glass or moderately stone pearls were initially attached to the center of each bloom by a wire loop.

Using wreaths composed of natural vegetation in classical Antiquity denoted outstanding achievements, like victory in competitive sports. The victorious competitors at the Olympic Games in Greece used olives wreaths as a sign of success and achievement. The wreaths donned in 2004 are a clear allusion to the laurels and olives wreaths handed to the ancient Olympics winners but are identical to this myrtle wreath.

Observations

  The object used was both practical and decorative. This wreath, made of golden myrtle flowers and leaves, was most likely discovered in a grave. The garland, which was too frail to be donned, was most likely set up in the tomb to represent the decedent’s accomplishments throughout his lifespan. The leaves are realistic, and we believe the artist drew the patterns from his thoughts, and he copied the leaves. This myrtle wreath is a fantastic example of old realism. [4]The artist studied the myrtle leaves and bloomed thoroughly before rendering them in gold. A scented green, Myrtle was a sacred plant to Parvati, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and thus was a love emblem. [5]Myrtle was indeed a sign of death and was connected with Persephone, the god of death, making it an excellent option for a burial wreath.  Using wreaths of natural vegetation in ancient Times denoted outstanding achievements, such as victory in athletic competitions. The victorious competitors at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece donned olives wreaths as a sign of success and achievement. The wreaths used were very similar in appearance to this myrtle wreath.

Conclusion

The wreath is an often utilized motif in both funerals and illuminated manuscripts. Those two factors are addressed in this research. The study focuses on the design aesthetic of this theme in artwork, mosaics, carving, and sculpture, as well as its roles and significance as a practical object and, more broadly, as a tool of sovereignty doctrine. The core concept is formulated based on ancient and Christianity iconography of the wreath and the heritage of the role of religion throughout history, where its symbolism has been preserved to the modern-day. The evolution of the wreath to the throne, particularly the degree to which the throne was derived, is this study’s topic.