• latw-117-1
    Pair of fluted gold earrings. (Courtesy of the Vedat Nedim Tör Museum, Istanbul)

    Pair of fluted gold earrings

    Date
    First half of the fifth century BC, Late Lydian (Persian)
    Museum
    Istanbul, Archaeological Museum, 5148
    Museum Inventory No.
    5148
    Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
    IAM 5148
    Material
    Gold
    Object Type
    Jewelry and Ornaments
    Site
    Sardis
    Sector
    Nec
    Trench
    Butler Tomb 921
    Locus
    Butler Tomb 921
    Description
    Two almost circular gold earrings. “The body is hollow and nearly cylindrical in cross section. The outer portion has a rounded profile, with 38 radiating ribs. The inner section is undecorated and terminates in a sharp edge within. On each of the flat, truncated ends, two small rings are attached. On each end of the semicircular pin is a loop that, when in place, rests between the two rings at each end of the body. The fastening was effected by means of a still smaller wire that passes through the three rings, two of the body and one of the pin” (Curtis). Length 0.0215 m, thickness 0.006 m, weight (together) 4.2 g.
    Comments
    From Sardis, found by the Butler Expedition in Tomb 921 together with another, boat-shaped earring and a gold chain. These are similar to the earrings worn by ivory head No. 52.
    See Also
    Bibliography
    Curtis 1925, no. 64; Meriçboyu 2001, 98, 99, fig. 1.
    Author
    NDC