A stunning Western Asiatic pendant formed of delicate hammered gold. The pendant has a long conical cap within which sits a turquoise coloured bead. There is a longitudinal perforation which suggests it was a originally a bead which has been reset in this context. The gold cap is decorated with triangular granulated clusters. At the top of the pendant is a perforation with a separate suspension loop. Many grand civilizations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes. Gold, electrum and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Fine granulation, as we can see on this item, along with filigree, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. Measurements: Circa L 3cm x W 0.5cm Weight: 1.25g Provenance: Ex private Japanese gentleman collection 1970-2010.