The subject of this electronic monograph are the gold appliques intended for covering the bodies of elite deceased individuals who were buried in the early antique necropolises of Macedonia (Trebenishte, Sindos, Arhontiko, etc.) during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. In addition to the basic aspects of this subject (form, typology, origin, purpose, previous studies), the main focus of the monograph is on the semiotics, i.e. the symbolic and mytho-religious meanings of these objects, with a special emphasis on their role in ensuring a positive outcome of the posthumous fate of the deceased.

The content of the book is divided into an introduction and eight chapters, dedicated to specific types of appliques for covering particular parts of the body: face masks, coverings for the eyes, mouth, nose, chest, hands and feet. The discovery and interpretation of the iconography and symbolic purpose of these appliques is carried out through a wide range of scientific methods, including iconographic and semiotic analysis, as well as comparison with similar archaeological finds, relevant historical sources and ethnographic traditions from around the world.

In addition to the main text, the book contains nearly 300 plates with catalogued illustrations, an extensive bibliography and an English summary of 75 pages. The design also includes photographs of replicas of the studied objects made by the author himself.