Ear Ornament

Large, hoop-like earring constructed of gold sheet and decorated on the outer surface with repoussé female figure within a pearl-moulding border. The earring is a hollow tube with broad panel on outer surface carrying the decoration; beneath it is attached a double-ring, formed from twisted wire, to hold a pendant (lost). The relief, somewhat battered, shows within an engraved floral border, a standing female with head tilted to her right, her arms folded over her chest. The construction technique is extremely intricate, but appropriate to ancient goldsmithing techniques. The beaded decoration is actually achieved by filing the surface into a shape resembling a string of beads, rather than by twisted wire or actual beads. The earring originally held a constructed, large pendant vase (missing, but wire loops surrounded by folded-back petals indicate the ring from which it was suspended).