ALL THAT GLITTERS: MEMPHIS' BROOKS MUSEUM GLISTENS WITH ANCIENT GOLD

Rhytons were used to serve wine during religious celebrations. This example of a rhyton is extraordinary because of the intricacies of the gold work as well as its creative significance as one of the early examples of the Hellenistic style.

The phiale is a ceremonial bowl used to receive offerings of wine. This piece demonstrates the cultural crossroads of the Thracian treasures. The design signature appears to be the work of a Greek master from Asia Minor.

For centuries the ancient civilization of Thrace was thought to be the stuff of legends. Thracians, the stories said, were so wealthy they ate from golden plates and drank from golden goblets. Their clothes were fastened with golden buttons. Even their horses wore golden armor. King Midas with the golden touch was said to be a Thracian king.

But it wasn't until this century, and mostly in the past 50 years, that evidence was unearthed proving the Thracians existed.

More than 200 Thracian treasures, all gold or silver, will be on display at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from Sunday through March 14. This is the first exhibit of the Bulgarian artifacts to tour the United States in the post-Communist era.

"It is called one of the biggest finds of the 20th century," said Caroline von Kessler, director of public relations for the museum. "It's fascinating to me that we have uncovered within the past 20 or 30 years a whole civilization that we didn't know existed. We don't know everything about the history of our world."

The Thracians were an ancient tribe centered in modern-day Bulgaria. Their civilization was at the crossroads of others: the Greeks, the Celts and eastern tribes. Evidence of all three are seen in the Thracian works.

Thracians had no written language, but stories by Greek, Roman and Byzantine neighbors told of their opulence.

"Anyone interested in ancient civilizations and artifacts will find this exhibit fascinating," said Dana Holland-Beickert, curator of exhibitions. "The pieces are exquisite."

Many of the pieces are religious or ceremonial. All are gold, silver or silver gilt.

The objects on display were found in 15 royal tombs dating to 400 A.D., making them some of the earliest worked precious metals in the world, Holland-Beickert said.

Pieces include a phiale, a bowl used to receive religious offerings -- usually wine. The wine was poured from a rhyton, which was typically designed to look like an animal head with a small hole at the base.

The culture placed great importance on material wealth and superiority in battle, Holland-Beickert explained.

Armor was made of gold and silver. Thracians drove golden chariots and horses were ornately dressed as well.

An assortment of harness ornaments is included in the exhibit. "They thought very highly of their horses," Holland-Beickert said. "That is evident by these pieces."

The Thracians are credited with a major role in developing the Hellenistic style.

One piece marries the Greek and Eastern styles, a rhyton with the image of a helmeted woman. On the helmet's front is an elaborate Tree of Life, an ancient near-Eastern design motif.

The exhibit includes an audio walking tour so visitors can learn more about the pieces. The museum also has developed a time line and map to help orient visitors to the time and place of the Thracians.

"We have photographic murals of the tombs to show how the pieces were found," Holland-Beickert said.

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors age 65 and older, $5 for children ages 7 to 17. Children 6 and under are admitted free, but a $3 charge is required for an audio-guide. Reduced admission prices are available for groups of 10 or more.

The museum is in Overton Park in Memphis, 1934 Poplar Ave. Call (901) 722-3500 or visit the museum online at www.brooksmuseum.org. A map to the museum is available on the Website.