1991.75.8.a-b, Pair of child's bracelets or earrings, Etruscan, mid 7th century B.C.E., gold repousse

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In antiquity, bracelets were usually worn in pairs. However, the number of surviving Greek and Etruscan bracelets is surprisingly small. In this pair, bracelet "A" consists of three flat bands composed of two twisted and three rounded wires, each band terminating at both ends in a three-dimensional lion's head. These composite bands are held together in three places by small similarly constructed bands placed laterally across them. The lions' heads at one end are delineated with granulated lines indicating the manes, ears, and eyes. On the other end, these details are rendered in repoussé only. Attached to each lion's mouth is a small circular loop; two are missing. Of the matching piece, only a single band is preserved. The lion-head finials follow the decorative scheme of the complete piece: one has added granulation, one does not.

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), 37; 129.

NOTES

READ

Catalogue essays

Etruscan Jewelry

Etruscan Jewelry: Orientalizing period

Ancient Gold Jewelry: The Spread of Imagery

Gold in the Ancient Mediterranean

Etruscan Gold

Artist/designers

Cultures

The Etruscans

Geography

Process/materials

Granulation

Plain and Decorative Wire

Sheet Metal

Repoussé

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

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 1991.75.8.a-b

General Description

In antiquity, bracelets were usually worn in pairs. However, the number of surviving Greek and Etruscan bracelets is surprisingly small. In this pair, bracelet "A" consists of three flat bands composed of two twisted and three rounded wires, each band terminating at both ends in a three-dimensional lion's head. These composite bands are held together in three places by small similarly constructed bands placed laterally across them. The lions' heads at one end are delineated with granulated lines indicating the manes, ears, and eyes. On the other end, these details are rendered in repoussé only. Attached to each lion's mouth is a small circular loop; two are missing. Of the matching piece, only a single band is preserved. The lion-head finials follow the decorative scheme of the complete piece: one has added granulation, one does not.