Reproduction of a Gold Mycenaean Ornament 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have a reproduction of a gold Mycenaean ornament, probably made by Emile Gilliéron or his son. It’s quite small, just over an inch across, and the octopus design is really striking. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: As a reproduction, its value lies less in its aesthetic innovation and more in its role as a commodity. Who was commissioning these reproductions, and for what purpose? What does its materiality – likely not actually gold – tell us about value and authenticity in the art market of its time? Editor: That's fascinating. So you're saying the reproduction itself becomes an object of study, revealing information about the social and economic factors at play? Curator: Precisely. The ornament’s existence as a copy prompts us to consider the labor involved in its making, its intended market, and the cultural capital associated with owning a piece, even a reproduction, of Mycenaean art. Editor: I never considered it that way before! Curator: Thinking about these pieces as commodities that reflect historical and cultural dynamics sheds light on their impact.