Reproduction of a Gold Mycenaean Signet Ring 19th-20th century

Editor: This is a reproduction of a Gold Mycenaean Signet Ring, thought to be crafted by Emile Gilliéron or his son. The details are fascinating, almost like a miniature stage! What can you tell me about the social role this kind of object played? Curator: Well, it's a reproduction, which complicates matters. Originals served as status symbols, indicating rank and authority within Mycenaean society, and were often used to seal documents. Editor: So, a reproduced seal doesn't hold the same power? Curator: Exactly. The copy detaches the image from its original sociopolitical function. It becomes an object for display, study, or perhaps even romanticized notions of the past, rather than a tool of governance or validation. Editor: That’s a great distinction, it makes me think about the purpose and politics of copies. Curator: Precisely. It highlights how the meaning of an image shifts depending on its context and use.