Lot 346. A pair of gold 'lantern' earrings, erhuan, Ming dynasty style; 1 1/2in (3.8cm) high excluding pin (2). Sold for US$ 5,075 (€ 4,322). © Bonhams 2001-2020

Each hollowed earring made by skillfully folding a beaten gold sheet into two globular sections with faceted sides, and mounted between delicate lotus petals, the base rendered as a lotus pod with tiny openings, with an elaborate S-shaped pin pulling from the top layers of a flower head and leaves.

Note: Lantern-form earrings are discussed by Yang Zhishui in Zhongguo Gudai Jinyin Shoushi (Beijing: Gugong, 2014), vol.2, p. 626 and p.629. See two elaborately designed lantern-form gold earrings illustrated in vol. 3, p. 849, pl. 8.63.1 and pl. 8.63.2. Compare also a pair of gold and crystal lantern-form earrings from the Ming dynasty, presented as lot 356 in this sale.

Bonhams. Elegant Embellishments Featuring the RenLu Collection, 21 Sep 2020, 10:00 EDT, New York