Pair of gold earrings decorated with precious stones, pearls and enamel
A pair of precious earrings with arched plates and enamelled decoration. Three birds and two roses are depicted in alternation within the five round medallions. Seven semi-precious stones, probably amber, hang from an equal number of pins positioned along the lower edge. A heart-shaped enamel ornament on the upper edge of just one of the two earrings has a rosette in its centre framed by seed pearls. A suspension hook is attached to each end of the arc. The colours of the enamel and the stones reflect the Byzantines’ love for polychromy and luxury in the form of ostentatious art.
PUBLICATION
Skampavias K. 2007. Catalogue entry no, 59, in Skampavias K.—Chatzidakis N. (eds), Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum.Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, Athens, 67.