Pair of Disk Ear Studs

Two bands of floral ornament circle a large central rosette on this pair of Etruscan earrings. The decoration is applied to a circular sheet of gold with a slightly raised edge. Three petals separated by repoussé lion's heads and tiny hollow gold beads mounted on wires form the central rosette. A hollow gold tube ending in a loop projects from the back of each earring. This post would have gone through a pierced ear and been held in place by a pin placed through the loop.

Using filigree and granulation, Etruscan goldsmiths of the 500s B.C. created luxurious and showy jewelry. Large disk earrings such as this pair were popular in Etruria from the 500s down to the 300s B.C. and are frequently seen on figures depicted in Etruscan art. This set of earrings probably came from Caere, a wealthy city on the western coast of Etruria. Caere's prosperity came from its iron and copper mines, whose ore was traded with the Greeks and Phoenicians in exchange for gold.