Elaborate Western Asiatic Gold Single Earring with Agate Beads
£ 750.00
An extremely fine and elaborate Western Asiatic gold single earring, featuring an S shaped hook decorated with a rhomboid shaped cell to the front, which originally probably held an inlaid stone. Below, a horizontal gold leaf to which 5 pendants are attached. Three of these pendants feature cones decorated with coiled wires and terminating in plain domes, resembling teardrops. Interspersed between these are two cylindrical agate stones, held in place by two gold socket beads. A truly exceptional jewel, witnessing the mastery of Western Asiatic goldsmiths. Weight: 5.53 g.
Date: Circa 1st Millennium BC Condition: Very fine, suitable for modern wear with care. Please consult a professional jeweller for alterations.
Many grand civilisations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity are witnessed by the very sophisticated precious metal crafting of jewellery. Gold would have been hammered down to a thin layer and manipulated into different shapes. Gold and silver jewellery would have featured gold granules, glass and semi-precious stone inlays and detailed engravings. Very fine granulation along with filigree, were at the centre of Near Eastern and Western Asiatic jewellery production and were later adopted by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.
To discover more about jewellery in the Ancient World, please visit our relevant post:Jewellery in Antiquity.
