Earring
Unknown Artist
Animals–especially birds–composed from gold filigree were popular forms in earrings and pendants in medieval Syria and Iran. The wire in this piece has been twisted like a rope and scrolled into arabesque motifs which comprise the body of the bird. This example has been further ornamented with granulated gold beads on the wing, beak and eye.
Credit: Rogers Fund, 1922
11th-12th century
Gold; filigree and granulation
3.2 in
22.201
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection
