Realms Of Gold The Novel: Treasures of the Sarmatians: Diadem

Treasures of the Sarmatians: Diadem

Sarmatian Gold Diadem with Garnet, Glass, Almandine, Pearls, and Turquoise; From the Khokhlach Burial Mound (1st century AD, Hermitage Museum).

Gold, garnet, glass, almandine, pearl, turquoise, 1st century C.E.
H. 15 cm.; L. 61 cm.

The diadem consists of three hinged parts, the whole surface inlaid with garnet and glass. In the center is an amethyst bust of a woman wearing a tunic and crowned with a gold wreath inlaid with almandine. The upper edge of the diadem is decorated with a figurative frieze representing a ritual scene of sacred animals processing towards the Tree of Life. The lower edge is decorated with pendants bearing rosettes rimmed with gold beads, pearls and small plaques.

This diadem is a typical example of the eclectic art which combed both Classical features and elements of Sarmatian art. It was intended for ritual use and was associated with the cult of fertility.

Terry Stanfill, born in West Haven, Connecticut, is a first generation American of Italian descent. She received a degree in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Connecticut.

For her efforts in raising funds for the restoration of San Pietro di Castello, the ancient cathedral of Venice, the President of Italy honored her with the Ordine al Merito, Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana, and Commendatore. She is Vice President Emerita of Save Venice, Inc, and was founder of The California Chapter of Save Venice, Inc.

Terry Stanfill is a founding director and Life Trustee of Los Angeles Opera. She is a Governor Emerita of the board of The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California as well as a Reader, her subject of research, the Normans in Southern Italy and Sicily in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries inspired her to write her first novel, The Blood Remembers.

Terry is married to Dennis Stanfill, former CEO of Twentieth Century Fox, and MGM.

Their daughter Francesca Stanfill Nye, is a novelist and journalist.

Their son, Dennis, is partner and managing director of HBDesign, Singapore.

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The images you'll see as you scroll down to the current text are all part of the story telling in my novel, Realms of Gold:Ritual to Romance.

Bianca Caldwell, pen name, Bianca Fiore, is a writer for an art magazine. In each of her monthly stories she describes an object used in ancient ritual.

Treasures of the Sarmatians: Diadem