Matching Pair of Western Asiatic Earrings with Granulation
£ 950.00
A stunning pair of finely modelled golden earrings from the ancient region of Bactria. Composed of triangular shaped clusters of golden granules, these earrings showcase the gold working technique excellently, with both the reverse finished to a high standard, and the lowest row of granules adorned with a miniature pyramidal cluster version of the art form. At the top of the earrings, a loop for wearing terminating in a single gold granule, and two round bezels, which may have originally featured semi-precious stones or glass paste inlays. A highly wearable set of elegant ancient earrings. Weight: 7.15 g.
Date: Circa 3rd-2nd Millennium BC. Provenance: From an important collection of a Japanese gentlemen, deceased, 1970-2015. Condition: Very fine. Suitable for modern wear with care.
Many grand civilizations inhabited the area of Western Asia in Antiquity, and their wealth and prosperity is 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, as we can see on this item, 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.
