Earring with lion-griffin head terminal
Ptolemaic Period
Hoops formed of wound wire with animal head terminals are the commonest type of Hellenistic earring. The griffin is a mythical winged animal that could have an eagle head or a horned lion-head. The latter is the only sort found on Egyptian jewelry; it has been suggested that it was associated with the Macedonian dynasty, while the eagle griffin was associated with the Achamenid Persians.
The 'collar' behind the lion-griffin's head is decorated with granulation and filagree.
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