Earring with ibex head

Unknown

4th–3rd century B.C. · Gold · Egyptian Art

Hoops formed of wound wire with animal head terminals are the commonest type of Hellenistic earring. The heads on these earrings have been referred to as those of gazelles, but is now thought more likely to be an ibex. Ibex-head earrings are well-known in Egypt, but also Asia Minor and Cyprus. The relatively simple decoration of these earrings points to an early Ptolemaic date.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th–3rd century B.C.

Medium

Gold

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, 1940