Earring
Unknown Artist
6th–7th century
Medium
Gold, garnet, glass; inlays are possible restorations
Dimensions
Overall: 1 9/16 x 9/16 x 11/16 in. (4 x 1.5 x 1.7 cm) hoop: 13/16 in. (2 cm) basket: 7/8 x 9/16 x 3/8 in. (2.3 x 1.5 x 0.9 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gold
Culture
Langobardic or Byzantine (?)
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.191.10
Art Historical Context
This delicate gold earring, dating to the 6th–7th century, hails from the turbulent era following the fall of the Roman in Italy. Crafted by an unknown artist, it may reflect Langobardic (Lombard) influences—linked to the Germanic Lombards who established a kingdom in northern Italy—or Byzantine artistry from the Eastern Roman Empire, whose opulent styles spread westward. Its small scale (just under 2 cm across) belies its status as a luxury item, likely worn by elite women as a symbol of wealth and cultural fusion. Fashioned from gold with vibrant garnet and glass inlays, the earring feature...