Gold spiral
Unknown Artist
7th–6th century BCE
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
Diam.: 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification
Gold and Silver
Culture & Period
Etruscan · Late Geometric-Archaic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase by subscription, 1895
Accession Number
95.15.135
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Gold Spiral**, crafted by an unknown Etruscan artisan in the 7th–6th century BCE, is a shimmering testament to the ingenuity of one of ancient Italy's most enigmatic cultures. Measuring just 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, this pure gold piece hails from the Late Geometric-Archaic period, a time when Etruscan society flourished in central Italy, blending local traditions with influences from Greek Geometric art and Eastern motifs. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art department—purchased by subscription in 1895—it exemplifies the elite craftsmanship of...