The treasure of Preslav or Preslav (Bulgaria) is one of the most important treasure finds in Europe today. The over 180 objects made of gold, silver, enamel, pearls and precious stones document the outstanding importance of the medieval Bulgarian Tsarist Empire in the 10th century AD and its close connection to the Byzantine Empire of the time. The Tsar of Bulgaria was at times so important that he unsuccessfully claimed the Byzantine throne for himself.
When in 1978 parts of the treasure of farmers and their tractors were unearthed in a field near Preslav, the former capital of the Bulgarian Empire while trying to plant a new vineyard, the entire area was scientifically examined by archaeologists shortly thereafter and the over Recovered 180 objects with a total weight of 640 grams.
In the Middle Ages, the extraordinary treasures were hidden in an oven in a rather inconspicuous hut outside the palace, perhaps stolen by a servant of the Bulgarian dynasty and hastily deposited there, when the then capital Preslav was hid by the Kiev Prince Sviatoslav or two years later by the Byzantine Emperor Johannes Tsimiskes was conquered. Fortunately, the treasure was never picked up from there again later, which is the only reason why it has survived almost intact to this day.
The enormous quality of the objects found suggests that the jewelery apparently came from courtly Byzantine goldsmith workshops and possibly came to the medieval Bulgarian court as an imperial gift for the then Tsar of Bulgaria on the occasion of his marriage to a Byzantine princess.
The heart of the Preslav treasure is a dainty golden necklace, which is adorned all over with the finest enamel fittings, pearls and precious stones. One of the pendants of this necklace with an enchanting depiction of the praying Mary was the inspiration for our enamelled pendant made of gold-plated silver.
Like the Byzantine model, our replica was provided with a pearl wreath and the bridge enamel with the representation of Mary was fired by hand in several stages, then ground, polished and set in the gold-plated pendant. As a perfect complement, the 110 individual links for an almost 70 cm long and true-to-the-original chain were individually manufactured by hand, joined together and also gold-plated in 750/- yellow gold.
In the end, we liked the finished pendant so much that we immediately made another version of this enchanting Byzantine treasure – this time with smaller beads and a depiction of Mary with a different robe – in the same way. After that we couldn't decide which of the two was better.
In any case, both jewels come remarkably close the medieval original approach. We would also be happy to make such a pendant for you entirely out of gold or, if desired, change the color combination of the enamel. Please Ask us just afterwards.