Lot Essay
For a similar example see no. 148, p. 215 in Williams and Ogden, Greek Gold, Jewellery of the Classical World.
.jpg?w=1)
CLASSICAL PERIOD TO HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY B.C.
Details
A PAIR OF GREEK GOLD DOUBLE LION-HEAD EARRINGS
CLASSICAL PERIOD TO HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY B.C.
Each with a tapering hoop of spiral-twisted plain wires, terminating at either end in a facing lion head, the small head at the lower end with a collar of plain wire tongues, the large terminals each with an elaborate collar of plain wire tongues, and beaded rings framing a filigree palmette flanked by ivy leaves, the lions each with a broad mane framing the well-modelled face, the eyes and mouth open through to the interior, the plain earwire (one preserved) emerging from between the fangs, hooked to the plain hoop emerging from the mouth of the smaller lion head
Each: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm.) long (2)
CLASSICAL PERIOD TO HELLENISTIC PERIOD, CIRCA 4TH CENTURY B.C.
Each with a tapering hoop of spiral-twisted plain wires, terminating at either end in a facing lion head, the small head at the lower end with a collar of plain wire tongues, the large terminals each with an elaborate collar of plain wire tongues, and beaded rings framing a filigree palmette flanked by ivy leaves, the lions each with a broad mane framing the well-modelled face, the eyes and mouth open through to the interior, the plain earwire (one preserved) emerging from between the fangs, hooked to the plain hoop emerging from the mouth of the smaller lion head
Each: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm.) long (2)
Provenance
London Art Market, 1980s.