Ancient Greek Hellenistic Lion’s Head Earring

$821.41

An extremely fine Greek Hellenistic gold single earring with lion’s head terminal. The earring is composed of a circlet of twisted wire, tapering from the lion’s head at the front end to a point. Much attention is given towards the naturalist rendering of the animal’s facial features, such as the wide-open eyes, nose, ears and mane. This fine piece testifies the refinement of gold working in Ancient Greece during the Hellenistic period.

Date: Circa 4th-3rd century BC
Condition: Extremely fine. Single earring only.

SOLD

SKU: AH-724 Category: Tags: , ,

As in many ancient societies, jewellery was an important social marker used to demonstrate wealth, social status and privilege. Hellenistic jewellery is generally characterised by a high level of refinement and attention to details. After the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexandre the Great in 331 BC, the Greeks entered in contact not only with new cultures but also with new techniques and styles of jewellery making.

During the Hellenistic period, jewellery was not only worn by the living but was also dedicated to temples and sanctuaries and buried with the deceased.

Weight 4 g
Dimensions L 1.9 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Reference: For similar: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, item 74.51.3492

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