Cleveland Museum of Art

Crescent-Shaped Earring

Date

1000–1100

Medium

gold filigree with cloisonné enamel

Culture

Byzantium, Constantinople?, Byzantine period, 11th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Byzantine lady who wore this earring may also have woven similar ornaments into her hair. Those who could afford it adorned not only their body but also their clothing with glittering jewels and shimmering gold. Small gold cells were created to hold enamel paste of different colors; when fired, they harden and appear jewel-like.

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.