Gold earring with pearl setting and pendant
Unknown Artist
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
Other: 5/16 x 1/2 x 1 in. (0.8 x 1.3 x 2.5 cm)
Classification
Gold and Silver
Culture
Roman
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.3811
Art Historical Context
This delicate gold earring, adorned with a pearl setting and, exemplifies the exquisite jewelry craftsmanship of ancient Rome. Dating to an unknown period within Roman culture, such earrings were luxury accessories symbolizing wealth and status among the elite. Worn singly or in pairs, they highlighted the wearer's sophistication, often featuring precious materials like gold and pearls sourced from distant trade routes, such as the Red Sea or Indian Ocean. Crafted from pure gold, the earring's petite dimensions—measuring just 5/16 x 1/2 x 1 inches—reveal masterful Roman goldsmithing technique...