By Carter B. Horsley

The December 9, 2008 auction of Antique Jewelry is highlighted by an impressive Greek gold diadem from the Hellenistic Period, circa 4th-3rd Century B.C., many old necklaces and many scarab rings.

The diadem, Lot 246, is 9 1/2 inches long and is from the collection of William and Eleanor Wood Prince of Chicago. It has a modest estimate of $2,500 to $3,500. It sold for $4,375.

Lot 209 is a fine Western Asiatic lapis lazuli necklae that is dated to circa Late 3rd to Early 2nd Millennium, B.C. It is 17 1/2 inches long and composed of convex disk-shaped pendants, interspersed with cylindiral and spherical beads and is strung in three strands. It has a modest estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It sold for $4,375.

Another fine lapis lazuli necklace is Lot 210. The stones are diamond-shaped and progressively larger and are interspersed with graduated gold beads. It is Western Asiatic and is dated circa Late 3rd-Early 2nd Millennium B.C. It is 20 1/4 inches long. It has a modest estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It sold for $4,750.

Another stunning Western Asiatic necklace from circa Late 3rd-Early 2nd Millennium B.C., is Lot 211. It consists of three strands of lenticular, spherical, triangular and tabular beads of etched carnelian interspersed with smaller beads each with an etched geometric pattern in white. It has a modest estiate of $3,000 to $4,000. It sold for $6,000.

Lot 235 is a large group of Egyptian scarabs and amulets that date from Pharonic to Roman times and later. The objects are of glass, faience, seatite, carnelian, feldsapr, jasper, bronze and lapis lazuli. The lot has a modest estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. It sold for $7,500.

Lot 244 is a stunning pair of Greek Hellenistic lion-headed gold earrings dating circa Late 4th Century B.C. Each is about 1 1//8 inches long. The lot has a modest estimate of $12,000 to $18,000. The lot did not sell.