Object Description
A beautiful pair of large Hellenistic earrings cast from gold featuring a thick crescentic loop adorned with delicate filigree along the edges. Five spheres sit in a row to the back of the loop, each topped with a smaller sphere. A tear-shaped cabochon garnet inset features at the front and back of the earring and is framed with a row of granulation. Underneath is a conical and a round cabochon garnet inset, both enriched with fine granulation. A gold chain hangs below the teardrop stone hung from a loop adorned with two small circular garnets in gold frames on either side. A loop is attached to the bottom which is further embellished with a purple and white stone, a ring of granules and a garnet finished with a small gold ball holding it in place. A large banded agate stone dangles below the main loop enclosed by granules placed in the shape of small triangles in a horizontal row. Smaller gold triangles and rows of granulation decorate underneath the stone in which a gold conical finial, made up from a five large spheres, is attached. Upside-down tear drop cabochon garnets embellish the bottom of the earring each framed by a band of granules. A gold pin goes through the centre holding the dangle of gold, garnet and agate in place.
Date: Circa 3rd-1st Century BC