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bronze Aegina turtle coin paperweight
£30.00
Reproduction of a coin from the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf. The Aeginetans were great traders and their early 'turtle coins' are found abundantly in hoards all over the Greek speaking world. After the Persian Wars, Aegina's commercial importance declined in the face of Athenian dominance. In the mid 5th century, possibly following the Athenian conquest of Aegina in ca 456BCE, the turtle was replaced by a tortoise and coinage output was much reduced. Diameter: 6cm
Depth/height: 0.4cm
quantity
about the turtle
The turtle is often thought of one of the wisest of souls in the animal kingdom, representing self-containment, earthiness, patience and a steady approach to life. It remains a symbol of longevity, protection and stability.
The ancient Greek word for turtle, chelone (modern Greek chelona), was the name given to the famous coin of the Aegean island of Aegina. These were minted in their thousands at the turn of the 6th and 5th centuries BCE and were the first coins produced in Europe. They were minted in silver from the island of Siphnos.
about the bronzes in this collection
Hephaistos would be amazed by the craftsmanship and quality of this wonderful collection!
These superb bronze pieces are cast in Greece using the traditional lost wax method. As nothing is mass-produced, there will inevitably be slight variations in texture, patina, and colour. No two pieces are ever the same. If mounted, the base is of black marble.
Please note that there may be a variation of some millimetres in the dimensions of the base from time to time, and that accessories such as spears, tridents or javelins may vary in length or height! If you need precise dimensions and weight, email me!
If you need a piece to fit a very specific space, or if you want me to take a photo of a couple of pieces so you can pick the one you want, I will do so with pleasure.
Every piece is deliciously tactile.
It's All Greek is so grateful and so proud to have been working closely with the Semitekolo family foundry since 1999. It has been a privilege and a joy to handle, live with, to photograph and describe these gorgeous pieces, before passing them on to passionate and grateful customers all over the world.
If you already own one of these pieces, cherish it!