6TH-5TH CENTURY B.C.

Details

A large pair of fine Etruscan gold baule type earrings
6th-5th Century B.C.
Each composed of a rectangular sheet rolled over, the ends with a hinge mechanism inset with silver pins holding a wire for attachment to the ear, the front face decorated with fine filigree and granulation, each with four rows set with minutely granulated hemispheres interspersed with spheres with a granule above, bordered by squares of looped wire, the reverse face with two rows of filigree double scrolls between plain rows, the whole surrounded by a petalled border. Each earring surmounted by a filigree and granulated palmette within an arched border flanked by granulated berries, the side face of each with a large palmette within a gold wire rope pattern border
1 in. (2.6 cm.) long (2)

Lot Essay

These earrings demonstrate the precision and minuteness of the best of Etruscan goldsmithing. For the type, cf. F. H. Marshall, Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, The British Museum, London, 1969, pp. 114-117, nos. 1286-1306, pl. XVI; Kunst der Etrusker, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1981, p. 126, no. 159.; M. Christofani and M. Martelli, L'Oro degli Etruschi, Novara, 1983, nos. 142-147; S. Cassani (ed.), The Art of the Italic Peoples from 3000 to 300 B.C., Museum Rath, Geneva, 1993-4, p. 223, no. 119.

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