Photo of collection object Hoop Earring
Sumerian. Hoop Earring, ca. 2600-2500 B.C.E.. Gold, Diam. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm). Purchased with funds given by Shelby White, 1999.109.6. Creative Commons-BY.

Hoop Earring

ca. 2600-2500 B.C.E.

Sumerian

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The Sumerian culture in Iraq, established in the third millennium b.c., was one of the world’s earliest civilizations. It reached a height of luxury known to us primarily through the elegantly crafted jewelry found in the tombs of its rulers. The ornaments exhibited here include two finger rings and two pairs of earrings in gold, and beads fashioned in gold and semiprecious stones. The beads have been restrung in modern times. Originally, they belonged to elaborate necklaces, which were often so large that their strands had to be held apart by separators. A separator on the smallest strand here consists of four attached tubes in gold (no. 3). The large round bead in lapis lazuli, with a gold cap, was the head of an ornamental pin in silver; traces of silver remain in the hole (no. 4).
Maker/Artist
Sumerian
Classification
Jewelry
Formatted Medium
Gold
Medium
gold
Locations
Place made: Iraq
Dimensions
Diam. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm)
Accession Number
1999.109.6
Credit Line
Purchased with funds given by Shelby White
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

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