● On view now — Gallery 105
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
Gold earrings such as this one were one of the quintessential indicators of the elite class during the Three Kingdoms period (c. 57 BC–AD 676). Royals or aristocrats during this time were buried with many goods, almost invariably with earring. Based on the thickness of the uppermost rings, this set was worn by a female member, most likely hung from a separate strap around the ear. The noteworthy embellishment is the three-sided leaflets further adorned with minuscule granulation of golden grains, a testament of a sophisticated goldsmith technique at the time.
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Italian
Probably Sicily — Earrings
China — Hairpin with Head formed as Twin Clusters of Vine an
anonymous — Een paar oorhangers
anonymous — Oorhanger
South German — Eleven Links Mounted as a Necklace
Ancient Egyptian — Necklace
anonymous — Broche
Near Guayaquil, Ecuador — Necklace with Three Round Pendant
Possibly England — Keepsake in the Form of a Purse
India
Rajasthan, Jaipur — Pair of Bracelets with Confronting
anonymous — Gordel, versierd met renaissance-ornament in rel
Spanish — Pair of Stirrups