Earring with lion-griffin head terminal

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 griffin is a mythical winged animal that could have an eagle head or a horned lion-head. The latter is the only sort found on Egyptian jewelry; it has been suggested that it was associated with the Macedonian dynasty, while the eagle griffin was associated with the Achamenid Persians. The 'collar' behind the lion-griffin's head is decorated with granulation and filagree.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th–3rd century B.C.

Medium

Gold

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910