Reproduction of a Gold Mycenaean Pin Head 19th-20th century

Editor: This is a reproduction of a Gold Mycenaean Pin Head by Emile Gilliéron or his son. I’m immediately struck by how the snakes are almost protective figures flanking what seems like a central, abstract floral image. How should we interpret these symbols? Curator: Given the Mycenaean context, snakes often symbolize regeneration and protection, linked to chthonic deities and female power. How might the act of reproducing this pin reinforce or challenge contemporary understandings of these ancient symbols, particularly their relationship to gender and power? Editor: So, it's not just about historical accuracy, but about what the reproduction says about us? Curator: Precisely. This object becomes a site where ancient beliefs and contemporary interpretations intersect, prompting us to consider how we engage with and potentially reshape historical narratives. Editor: I see. It makes you think about the biases present in older art. Curator: Yes. It urges us to question whose voices were amplified and whose were silenced in the creation and interpretation of these artifacts.