GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A grappolo, or "grape" pendant earrings, sometimes also called leech-type earrings, consist of a central leech form surmounted by a horseshoe-shaped plaque with a grape-like ornament below as a rigid pendant. The upper plaque is covered with globules, circular ornaments, decorative wires, and a frieze of palmettes and lotus flowers, all made separately and applied. A crescent-shaped repoussé relief placed beneath the leech contains the image of a lion striding to the right. The grape area is formed of seven large hemispherical bosses made separately and added; these are interspersed with clusters of small globules and a few cup-shaped flowers with plain or ornamented globules in the center. Remnants of both the hook by which the earring was worn, as well as the catch that secured the hook, are visible on the back of each example. The bases of these elements are surrounded by beaded wire. Tiny loops on each side of the hook probably held a chain or wire for added security. Piece "b" has been restored.
The decoration of the shield-like tops of the plates seen here recalls the organized registers of an earlier disk ear stud in the Dallas Museum of Art's collection (1991.75.18), though the palmette-lotus borders lack the granulation of the ear stud's floral motifs. A grappolo style Etruscan earrings, popular from the late 5th to the 3rd centuries BCE, are often represented in Etruscan wall paintings, as well as on terra-cotta figures.
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), 36; 127.
NOTES
READ
- 1991.75.34.a-b : TMS still has images of two different sets of earrings, one is correct, one is incorrect. It’s correct in Brain (incorrect images still there, but marked “private” and will not show up online)
- updated provenance and geo x ref
- added catalog entry as a text entry
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
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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
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
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.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.34.a-b
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General Description
A grappolo, or "grape" pendant earrings, sometimes also called leech-type earrings, consist of a central leech form surmounted by a horseshoe-shaped plaque with a grape-like ornament below as a rigid pendant. The upper plaque is covered with globules, circular ornaments, decorative wires, and a frieze of palmettes and lotus flowers, all made separately and applied. A crescent-shaped repoussé relief placed beneath the leech contains the image of a lion striding to the right. The grape area is formed of seven large hemispherical bosses made separately and added; these are interspersed with clusters of small globules and a few cup-shaped flowers with plain or ornamented globules in the center. Remnants of both the hook by which the earring was worn, as well as the catch that secured the hook, are visible on the back of each example. The bases of these elements are surrounded by beaded wire. Tiny loops on each side of the hook probably held a chain or wire for added security. Piece "b" has been restored.
The decoration of the shield-like tops of the plates seen here recalls the organized registers of an earlier disk ear stud in the Dallas Museum of Art's collection (1991.75.18), though the palmette-lotus borders lack the granulation of the ear stud's floral motifs. A grappolo style Etruscan earrings, popular from the late 5th to the 3rd centuries BCE, are often represented in Etruscan wall paintings, as well as on terra-cotta figures.
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), 36; 127.
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
READ
- 1991.75.34.a-b : TMS still has images of two different sets of earrings, one is correct, one is incorrect. It’s correct in Brain (incorrect images still there, but marked “private” and will not show up online)
- updated provenance and geo x ref
- added catalog entry as a text entry
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
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1991.75.34.a-b
source file
object_notes_2_b-0085.xml.nores