GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A baule or a bauletto means "little bag," and this Etruscan earring type earned its Italian name from its resemblance to a valise. An Etruscan design of the 6th century BCE, the basic form consists of a broad strip of gold bent into three-quarters of a cylinder. The two ends of the strip are joined by a wire or narrow band, which attached the cylinder to the ear. This wire is usually masked from the front by a decorative extension. The surfaces of the cylinder that were visible when the earring was worn are elaborately decorated. The hidden side is usually left plain or is less carefully decorated. These differences make it clear whether an earring was meant to be worn on the right ear or the left.
The front of each cylinder displays square panels of palmettes, lotus flowers, and ivy leaves, defined against a densely granulated background. A separately made ornament, consisting of a gold disk, a globule, tisted wire, and a coiled circlet, is attached to the center of each panel, while hollow bosses and ornamental wires form frames. The back features a simple pattern of repoussé lines and decorative wires. The suspension hook is missing from both pieces.
Adapted from
Barbara Deppert-Lippitz, Ancient Gold Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art in association with the University of Washington Press, 1996), 35; 125.
NOTES
- updated provenance and geo x refs
- added publication as a text entry
- cut: Each piece of this pair consists of a gold cylinder, open at the top, and a large, pointed, leaf-shaped extension. One side is closed with a gold disk decorated with a stamped gorgon mask, which is outlined by fine wire and encircled by a wavy polished-gold pattern on a granulated background. This decorative technique is repeated on other surfaces of the earring. The pointed extension is almost completely covered with fine granulation, delicate reverse-silhouette floral decoration in the shape of a palmette below, a lotus bud above, and ivy leaves on both sides. The outer border of the extension is defined by flat, S-shaped volutes coiled in very fine wire. Large globules and larger bosses, surrounded by upright coils of wire, mark the base of the extension.
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PROVENANCE
Until 1991: probably Collection of Dr. Athos Moretti, Switzerland (presented by Robert Haber, New York) [1]
From 1991: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc.
[1] based on existing provenance entry in TMS
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WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- Jewelry was far more than merely ornament to the Etruscans; it was often close to being a magic charm or amulet and implied the protection of the gods.
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Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.12.a-b
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General Description
A baule or a bauletto means "little bag," and this Etruscan earring type earned its Italian name from its resemblance to a valise. An Etruscan design of the 6th century BCE, the basic form consists of a broad strip of gold bent into three-quarters of a cylinder. The two ends of the strip are joined by a wire or narrow band, which attached the cylinder to the ear. This wire is usually masked from the front by a decorative extension. The surfaces of the cylinder that were visible when the earring was worn are elaborately decorated. The hidden side is usually left plain or is less carefully decorated. These differences make it clear whether an earring was meant to be worn on the right ear or the left.
The front of each cylinder displays square panels of palmettes, lotus flowers, and ivy leaves, defined against a densely granulated background. A separately made ornament, consisting of a gold disk, a globule, tisted wire, and a coiled circlet, is attached to the center of each panel, while hollow bosses and ornamental wires form frames. The back features a simple pattern of repoussé lines and decorative wires. The suspension hook is missing from both pieces.
Adapted from
Barbara Deppert-Lippitz, Ancient Gold Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art in association with the University of Washington Press, 1996), 35; 125.
Fun Facts
- Jewelry was far more than merely ornament to the Etruscans; it was often close to being a magic charm or amulet and implied the protection of the gods.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- updated provenance and geo x refs
- added publication as a text entry
- cut: Each piece of this pair consists of a gold cylinder, open at the top, and a large, pointed, leaf-shaped extension. One side is closed with a gold disk decorated with a stamped gorgon mask, which is outlined by fine wire and encircled by a wavy polished-gold pattern on a granulated background. This decorative technique is repeated on other surfaces of the earring. The pointed extension is almost completely covered with fine granulation, delicate reverse-silhouette floral decoration in the shape of a palmette below, a lotus bud above, and ivy leaves on both sides. The outer border of the extension is defined by flat, S-shaped volutes coiled in very fine wire. Large globules and larger bosses, surrounded by upright coils of wire, mark the base of the extension.
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
Until 1991: probably Collection of Dr. Athos Moretti, Switzerland (presented by Robert Haber, New York) [1]
From 1991: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc.
[1] based on existing provenance entry in TMS
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object_notes_2_a-0544.xml.nores