GREEK/UKRAINE BRONZE DOLPHIN PENDANT NECKLACE, 5TH-4TH CENTURY BC

From the Greek Black Sea colony of Olbia which provided slaves, cereal, and fish. Before die struck coinage, these dolphin figures served as a means of exchange, vital for commerce to thrive. They are modeled as the bottlenose dolphins of the Black Sea which were both friendly and considered auspicious and sacred to Apollo. The dolphins are bronze, evidently, hand-modeled as they vary considerably though always in leaping or breaching posture. This example is over 1" (1.05”) long with delineated eye, prominent bottle nose, and dorsal fin. There is a shallow longitudinal grove each side, further detailing the animal. Surface textured from burial. It has been professionally refurbished, pure silver plated on an 18” modern Sterling silver neck chain. Jewelry gift boxed with certificate of authenticity.