Earring

Earring (horseshoe type). Earring developed from the leech type. The leech is flattened and above it is a horseshoe shaped element bordered by rope wire. This encloses a band of applied bosses, a triple row of wire (center one of which is rope wire), another row of bosses (in repouses) and then a final triple band of plain wire bordering the leech. On either side of the leech is a thin strip divided into two grooves and three ridges. Below and half-way up the sides of the leech are a group of seven bosses, underneath each of the middle four is a cluster of three globules. Intersperced among the bosses are seven small cup-like elements. There may have been something hanging from the bottom globule but it has broken away. The reverse is flat but has holes beneath the five lowest bosses. This flat gold sheet seems to have been made of several pieces of gold hammered together, and had the decorative elements applied to it. A tube for holding an ear pin is also on the reverse. Very battered condition.