FIVE PAIRS OF ETRUSCAN GOLD BAULE TYPE EARRINGS, each composed of a rectangular sheet rolled over, the ends with remains of a hinge mechanism to take wires for attachment to the ear, the reverse face of each decorated with ribbing, the front face with fine filigree and granulation, one pair with a central flower head comprising a granulated hemisphere surrounded by radiating hoops of fine wire enclosed within a filigree rope-patterned border, four granulated hemispheres in each corner flanked by four opening flower buds, five spheres with granule above; another pair, with a similar central flower head with central granule surrounded by fine radiating hooped wire enclosed within an interlocking hooped border, four closed flower buds surrounded by filigree in the corners flanked by four opening flower buds, all enclosed by filigree borders, surmounted by a filigree palmette above; two other pairs with similar decoration; and another pair of earrings with a central hemispherical boss surrounded by scrolling filigree decoration enclosed within square filigree rope-patterned borders, a continuous filigree wavy line above with filigree palmette, 6th-5th Century B.C., 1.1 to 1.8cm. long (10)

Details

FIVE PAIRS OF ETRUSCAN GOLD BAULE TYPE EARRINGS, each composed of a rectangular sheet rolled over, the ends with remains of a hinge mechanism to take wires for attachment to the ear, the reverse face of each decorated with ribbing, the front face with fine filigree and granulation, one pair with a central flower head comprising a granulated hemisphere surrounded by radiating hoops of fine wire enclosed within a filigree rope-patterned border, four granulated hemispheres in each corner flanked by four opening flower buds, five spheres with granule above; another pair, with a similar central flower head with central granule surrounded by fine radiating hooped wire enclosed within an interlocking hooped border, four closed flower buds surrounded by filigree in the corners flanked by four opening flower buds, all enclosed by filigree borders, surmounted by a filigree palmette above; two other pairs with similar decoration; and another pair of earrings with a central hemispherical boss surrounded by scrolling filigree decoration enclosed within square filigree rope-patterned borders, a continuous filigree wavy line above with filigree palmette, 6th-5th Century B.C., 1.1 to 1.8cm. long (10)

Lot Essay

These five pairs of earrings demonstrate the precision and minuteness of the best Etruscan goldsmithing. Earrings of this type most typically had silver pins holding the fasteners in place; these have disappeared from most of the above earrings, but their corrosion is probably responsible for the discolouration on one of the pairs.

For the general type, cf. Christofani and Martelli, nos. 142-147; and S. Cassani (ed.), The Art of the Italic Peoples from 3000 to 300 B.C., Museum Rath, Geneva, 1993-1994, no. 119, p. 223

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