The historical predecessor of this Roman pendant with a dolphin motif was a large decorative disc from a private collection, which may have originally been a phalanx from a Roman sword or part of its fittings.
The three dolphins arranged in a circle on the pendant are reminiscent of the Celtic triskele , a symbol that became very popular among the Romans in the late 2nd century due to Celtic influence. The triskele was considered to be a lucky number and represented, among other things, the cycle of birth, growth and death - a reference to the divine order.
Dolphins often appeared in ancient myths and were considered friendly and helpful creatures. Legend has it, for example, that they saved the shipwrecked poet Arion of Lesbos from drowning.
The Greek god Apollo is said to have transformed into a dolphin, and dolphins were known in ancient mythology as messengers of the sea god Poseidon. In Roman art, the god of love, Eros, was often depicted riding a dolphin.
- The Roman dolphin pendant is approximately 2.5 cm in diameter.
- Material: bronze
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