A Pair of Greek Gold Boat Earrings
Classical Period, ca. 4th century BCE

Earrings in the form of a boat-shaped crescent have a long tradition in Greek and Roman art. Fashioned in gold, sometimes with extensive granulation and added decorative elements, they were luxury objects valued as adornments and markers of wealth and status. These exceptional examples are made from hollow high karat gold with high arching earwires, and decorated through the center with etched filigree tendrils framing an encircling band of large beaded granulation, an ancient form of ornamentation in which tiny grains of gold are fused to an underlying surface metal, that is flanked by plain and twisted gold wires. Attached below are three granules, graduating in size.  The terminals are embellished by fine filigree beaded petals descending from a ring of granulation framed by plain wire. The earrings are professionally joined to modern gold ear-posts making them suitable for wearing if desired.

Condition: The earrings are intact and in excellent condition overall.  An exceptional example of ancient Greek jewelry.

Dimensions: Length: 1 1/8 inches (3 cm)

Provenance: Private collection of Robert Perlman, acquired from a New York gallery in the 1970's, then by descent to his son.  Perlman was the first president and founder of the International Gemological Institute and was a collector of ancient jewelry. Thereafter by decent to his son.