Lot Essay
For a related pair see no. 105 in Deppert-Lippitz, Ancient Gold Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art.
CIRCA 5TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.
Details
A PAIR OF ACHAEMENID GOLD EARRINGS
circa 5th-4th century b.c.
Each earring composed of an open circle, the inner portion of sheet with applied repoussé blossoms divided by groups of three granulated balls, framed on the inner and outer edges by spiral plain wire enclosed by thin strips of sheet, the outer strip with twenty hollow balls on cylindrical bases, each ball made from two halves and fringed with a single granule, the inner circle a sheet disk with granulated triangles, a band of plain wire and granulation at the interior, a sheet bar at the center supporting three loops, each with a suspended hollow ball, the opening of the circle rimmed with sheet strips, both sides with four loops through which pass the hinge pins for the arching, square ear wires
2 in. (5.1 cm.) wide (2)
circa 5th-4th century b.c.
Each earring composed of an open circle, the inner portion of sheet with applied repoussé blossoms divided by groups of three granulated balls, framed on the inner and outer edges by spiral plain wire enclosed by thin strips of sheet, the outer strip with twenty hollow balls on cylindrical bases, each ball made from two halves and fringed with a single granule, the inner circle a sheet disk with granulated triangles, a band of plain wire and granulation at the interior, a sheet bar at the center supporting three loops, each with a suspended hollow ball, the opening of the circle rimmed with sheet strips, both sides with four loops through which pass the hinge pins for the arching, square ear wires
2 in. (5.1 cm.) wide (2)