Gold butterfly-shaped ornaments featuring a central cross

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Gold
Date range: Early Bronze Age, circa 2500 to 2000 BC
Origin: Aegean region

These gold ornaments are made from thin sheets shaped like petals that meet at the center. Where the sheets overlap, they form a visible cross.

The circular patterns are religious symbols linked to life, renewal, and sacred movement. The cross at the center may mark a sacred point or divine order.

Such ornaments were likely worn on ritual clothing or used in ceremonies. The cross and gold material together would have emphasized holiness and spiritual power.

Museum label reference: Gold floral ornaments, of overlapping sheets.

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Gold repousse floral ornaments with circular designs arranged in decorative butterfly-shaped and cross patterns from ancient Greece

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Source:  Athens, Greece