Advanced Search 
Spool earring
Italic, Etruscan
Archaic
6th century B.C.
Medium/Technique
Gold
Dimensions
Overall: 1.5 x 1 x 0.8 cm (9/16 x 3/8 x 5/16 in.)
Overall (with 95.90): 2.8 gm (0.01 lb.)
Overall (with 95.90): 2.8 gm (0.01 lb.)
Credit Line
Catharine Page Perkins Fund
Accession Number95.91
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Earrings, flares, plugs, studs
Description“A baule” or spool earrings consist of sheet metal rounded at one end and rolled into a spool. A hook at one end of the earring either passed through the earlobe or a suspension hoop in the ear.
The upper zone is pediment-shaped with addorsed sphinxes as decoration; their wings form a peak. A row of small, flat circles of filigree wire is placed above the wings.
The central zone is decorated with a rosette in each corner, each surrounded by a border of plain filigree wire. The rosettes all are made up of open hoops of filigree wire and decorated with a central bead. A larger rosette of this type is placed in a cup-shaped setting. Smaller cup-shaped rosettes are set in the interstices.
The lower zone is divided into three long rows separated by ridges.
The upper zone is pediment-shaped with addorsed sphinxes as decoration; their wings form a peak. A row of small, flat circles of filigree wire is placed above the wings.
The central zone is decorated with a rosette in each corner, each surrounded by a border of plain filigree wire. The rosettes all are made up of open hoops of filigree wire and decorated with a central bead. A larger rosette of this type is placed in a cup-shaped setting. Smaller cup-shaped rosettes are set in the interstices.
The lower zone is divided into three long rows separated by ridges.
ProvenanceBy 1894: with Edward Perry Warren (according to Warren's records: Said to have been found together [with 95.87 and 95.90] at Mytilene. 1894.); 1895: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 29,857.37 (this figure is the total price for MFA 95.9-95.174)