Lot 116. A pair of Etruscan gold ear studs, circa 530-500 B.C. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Photo Christie's Images Ltd 2016.

Each: 1¼ in. (3.3 cm) diameter

Provenance: The Boilevin family, France, 19th century; thence by descent to Monsieur Boilevin.
The Boilevin Estate; Archéologie, Tajan, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 5 June 2002, lot 128.

Note: Each stud is composed of a sheet disk centered by a rosette. There is a central dome filled with minute granulation, framed by eight spheres each set within a sheet calyx, all enclosed by three concentric ornamental bands divided by filigree twisted wires. The reverse has a fluted dome centered by a hollow tube terminating in a loop. They beautifully illustrate the prowess of Etruscan jewelers who were unrivalled in terms of the quality of their filigree and granulation work.

For related examples see F.H. Marshall, Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman, in the Departments of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911, nos. 1414-1426; pl. XX, and M. Cristofani and M. Martelli, L'Oro degli Etruschi, nos. 148-151.

Christie's. Sale 12257. Antiquities, 25 October 2016, New York, Rockefeller Plaza