Western Asiatic Gold Nose Ring with Lion Head Terminals

Object Description

A fine Western Asiatic gold nose ornament, featuring an ovoid hoop shape, composed of two curved square-sectioned arms extending from a coiled spring at the centre. Flanking the spring, two lion heads, with their mouths agape, have been depicted. They face upwards, towards the centre coil, with their facial features such as their eyes, nose, mouth, and lips carefully rendered with incisions and granules. A thick rectangular collar of fine granulation represents their manes behind their heads.

Date: Circa 1st Millennium BC

Object History

From the property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s-2000s.

Object Condition

Excellent condition. Some minor encrustation and tarnishing to the gold. Slight wear and scratching to the surface as consistent with its age.

Object Details