Jewelry inspired by the art and craft of the ancient world

Alexis Menten studying ancient gold jewelry on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient designs for modern times

As a trained archaeologist and goldsmith, I research and handcraft timeless pieces that capture the deep symbolism, skilled craftsmanship, and inherent beauty of ancient jewelry. Like ancient pieces, my jewelry is made to be worn every day, cherished for a lifetime, and passed down for generations to come.

Find out more about my Process & Materials

Close up of Alexis Menten alloying 22k gold in a crucible with a handheld torch

Forged by hand, shaped by history

Explore jewelry history and learn about the ancient tradition of goldsmithing

Ancient Adornments

  • The Eternal Allure of Gold

    A gold signet ring shown from the front with an engraved figure of Nike from ancient Greece in the Cleveland Museum of Art

    Gold is literally stardust, formed when two stars collide. It has an otherworldly glow and a beauty that humans have been drawn to since the beginning of history. In ancient cultures around the world, gold was sacred and associated with the gods. Across time, gold jewelry has also been a means of bestowing wealthnot only as offerings for the gods but also as heirlooms for future generations.

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  • The History of the Lunar Crescent

    A gold crescent shaped pendant with granulation on a chain with green agate beads from ancient Rome in the Walters Art Museum

    The lunar crescent is one of the oldest amulets worn continuously over 4000 years of human history. Associated with the waxing and waning of the moon, the crescent represented growth, regeneration, and renewal. This connection with the lunar cycle also linked the crescent to the feminine. Over time, the crescent symbol became a powerful amulet believed to have protective powers.

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  • The Jewelry of Pompeii

    Fragment from the Frieze of the Cupids from the House of the Vettii in ancient Pompeii showing cupids working as goldsmiths

    Ancient Romans of all classes, men and women, owned jewelry. However, archaeologists have very little evidence about how and why jewelry was actually worn in everyday life. A rare exception is the Roman jewelry found in Pompeii and other sites buried in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE. 

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