One of a Pair of Gold Cloisonné Earrings

Unknown

500–550 · Gold, garnets with patterned foil backings, green stone; garnets with unpatterned foil backings are restorations · Medieval Art

Hoop earrings with polyhedral beads, derived from late Roman jewelry, remained fashionable among Frankish women from the 400s through the 700s. Many are delicate pieces, their beads decorated with garnets or precious stones. Others, often with the least imposing beads, impress by their large hoops and distinctive closures.

Artist

Unknown

Date

500–550

Medium

Gold, garnets with patterned foil backings, green stone; garnets with unpatterned foil backings are restorations

Culture

Frankish

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917