1991.75.64.a-b, Single earring with lions heads, Magna Graecia, 3rd century B.C.E., gold, garnet

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Toward the end of the 4th century BCE, new shapes and materials were introduced to Greek jewelry. The most ingenious innovation of the Greek goldsmiths of this period is the animal-head earring: a tapering, penannular hoop made of twisted wire with one terminal and the larger end in the form of an animal's head. This single earring with lions heads is a classic example of the baroque style of jewelry common in the wealthy cities of Greek southern Italy during the Hellenistic age. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world had readier access to gold and gemstones than ever before. Coloristic works like this became common.

In this example, the hoop is made in two sections, both ending in lions' heads, though of different size. The smaller of the two lion heads is removable, and the larger lion's ears are also separately attached. The mane and the facial features of both lions are highly stylized; the lion's mane is particularly well defined by chasing. The teeth, tongue, and texture of the fur are carefully indicated. A double spiral made from rectangular strips of sheet gold is attached to the mouth of the smaller lion. Traces remain of the green enamel that once filled cloisons on the decorative collar. The larger lion head is especially dramatic, with its glowing red garnet eyes and flamelike mane.

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), 62-63, 133.
Anne Bromberg, "Lion-head earring," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Charles Venable (New Haven, NJ: Yale University Press, 1997), 32.
Anne R. Bromberg and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996), 114.

NOTES

entered publication as a text entry in TMS
updated provenance
geo x ref updated

Catalogue essays

Ancient Gold Jewelry: The Spread of Imagery

Greek Jewelry

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

Repoussé and Chasing

Sheet Metal

Filigree

Plain and Decorative Wire

Historical periods

Individuals

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.E.)

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

Lions were popular subjects in Greek jewelry; they symbolized fertility and regal power.

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 1991.75.64.a-b

General Description

Toward the end of the 4th century BCE, new shapes and materials were introduced to Greek jewelry. The most ingenious innovation of the Greek goldsmiths of this period is the animal-head earring: a tapering, penannular hoop made of twisted wire with one terminal and the larger end in the form of an animal's head. This single earring with lions heads is a classic example of the baroque style of jewelry common in the wealthy cities of Greek southern Italy during the Hellenistic age. After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic world had readier access to gold and gemstones than ever before. Coloristic works like this became common.

In this example, the hoop is made in two sections, both ending in lions' heads, though of different size. The smaller of the two lion heads is removable, and the larger lion's ears are also separately attached. The mane and the facial features of both lions are highly stylized; the lion's mane is particularly well defined by chasing. The teeth, tongue, and texture of the fur are carefully indicated. A double spiral made from rectangular strips of sheet gold is attached to the mouth of the smaller lion. Traces remain of the green enamel that once filled cloisons on the decorative collar. The larger lion head is especially dramatic, with its glowing red garnet eyes and flamelike mane.

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), 62-63, 133.
Anne Bromberg, "Lion-head earring," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Charles Venable (New Haven, NJ: Yale University Press, 1997), 32.
Anne R. Bromberg and Karl Kilinski II, Gods, Men, and Heroes: Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art. (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996), 114.