Earrings

A pair of cylindrical gold earrings, 'a baule' type,decorated in both filigree and granulation technique. These earrings are unique to the Etruscans and are so called because they are shaped like old fashioned “carpet bags”. they were made in opposite pairs for the right and left ears in the form of a cylinder with hinged top, its open ends hidden by discs. The upper surface of the outer disc is raised in outline to resemble a palmette finial (the opposite end would be hidden behind the ear lobe). The pin and hinge lie opposite to the axis of the cylinder and are thus hidden by the disc ends of the earring. The discs are covered with filigree decoration (with some openwork): circular loop with palmette-volute pattern inside. The cylinder has alternating squares of filigree and extremely fine granulation.