KM 85.9.1b-c: Gold Earrings with Bull's Head Decoration
2nd Century AD
from the Fayoum, Egypt
Gift of E. E. Peterson
These gold earrings are of outstanding workmanship, and point to Valeria Callityche's wealth at the time of her death, wealth acquired either through her own labor as a hairdresser or through her patronage by an aristocrat. The earrings are filigree and twisted wire, with a solid bull's head at one end.
The bull's head was a common motif of the times. Animal and human representations, along with geometric shapes and linear designs, remained standard themes in jewelry decoration throughout the Roman Empire. The style of these elegant earrings can be seen in many other examples in Hellenistic and Roman times, staying 'in fashion' for centuries.
**Please note: this "assemblage" was created solely for educational purposes. All of the objects discussed here are from entirely different archaeological contexts. A full explanation of this class project is found on the introductory page for this website.
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