CIRCA 6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.

The earrings are composed of slightly tapering hoops with each end terminating in a small attachment loop. Soldered to the base of each are two conjoined suspension loops, with small sheet discs covering the joins, supporting pendants of granulated disc beads and pearls. Hanging from a separate loop is an openwork triangular element with a beaded wire border and scrolling strips on the interior. At the lower corners are suspended pearl and green stone (perhaps turquoise) disc beads. From the center of the bottom edge is a long chain of twisted figure-eight loops, evenly interspersed by three gold sheet discs with a border of beaded wire enclosing a plain wire, each centered by a repousse stylized frontal head with wings.

According to J. Ogden (Jewelry Technology in the Ancient & Medieval World, p. 198), chains formed from figure-eight links were the most common type employed during the Early Byzantine period (for a similar chain, see fig. 12.4 in Ogden, op. cit.). For a discussion on Byzantine earring chains, see M. Schulze, "Frühmittelalterliche Kettenohrringe," Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt, vol. 14, pp. 325-326, pl. 41. For a similar example, see pp. 13-14 in H. Stathatou, Collection Hélène Stathatos, Les Objets Byzantins et Post-Byzantins.