Earring

11th–12th century

Not on view

Considering the miniature size of most jewels, the work of Islamic goldsmiths was often technically complex and the artistic results, excellent. The cresecent shape of the earring is a symbol of renewal and regeneration, probably derived from the observation of the cycle of the moon.

This object is decorated with applied circles formed of rope. The edge of the object is also masked by rope. The traditon of crescent-shaped earrings has a long history in the ancient world.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Earring
Date: 11th–12th century
Geography: Found Iran, Gurgan
Medium: Sheet gold with granulation
Classification: Jewelry
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1952
Object Number: 52.4.15
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Armlet, Gold; filigree and granulation — Armlet
first half 11th century

Gold earrings with disk and boat-shaped pendant, Gold, East Greek — Gold earrings with disk and boat-shaped pendant
East Greek
ca. 300 BCE

Hair Ornament, One of a Pair, Gold; cast, fabricated, engraved, with a copper alloy inner sleeve, decorated with twisted wire and granulation — Hair Ornament, One of a Pair
12th–13th century

One from a Pair of Ear Ornaments (Prakaravapra Kundala), Gold, sheet, wire and granulation, India, Andhra Pradesh — One from a Pair of Ear Ornaments (Prakaravapra Kundala)
India, Andhra Pradesh
ca. 1st century BCE–1st century CE

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