Athena, goddess of intelligence and strategic thought.
These cufflinks are a replica of a gold stater, minted in Macedonia in the early 4th century BC.
Alexander's own coin types were the head of Herakles and a seated Zeus on the reverse and a head of Athena (as shown here) and a standing Nike (Victory).
These were the images chosen to decorate the coinage with which Alexander set out to conquer the Persian Empire.
Athena coin cufflinks
dimensions
2cm in diametermore about Athena
Athena, daughter of Zeus, was the goddess of intelligence, wisdom, resourcefulness and strategic thought. She was also the protectress of women and female crafts.
Zeus discovered that Metis, the goddess of intelligence, was pregnant with his child. Fearing that the child would be superior to him, he turned Metis into a fly, and swallowed her. Nine months later, Zeus had a terrible migraine, and summoned his son Hephaistos, who promptly took his axe, cut open Zeus' head, and out popped baby Athena. His brainchild. Fully formed in miniature, and armed for combat, with her helmet, shield, and spear. With her father, she later shared the aegis, the snake-fringed cloak with the image of the head of Medusa in its centre.
She was the patron goddess of Athens, to which she gave her name and the gift of the olive. She favoured the heroes Herakles, Jason, Achilles, Perseus and Odysseus, and was associated with Nike, the winged goddess of achievement and victory. Her symbols are the owl and the olive.
about this collection of jewellery
It has been a privilege to work with the Vaphiadis family since 2007. They are one of the best manufacturers of sterling silver jewellery in Greece.
The collection is inspired by ancient Greek silver and gold coins, the art and jewellery of the Minoan civilisation, familiar symbolic motifs and images, and the animals that played a significant part in ancient Greek culture.