Greek Gold Sphinx Earring
3rd-2nd century B.C. A single gold earring composed of a twisted wire hoop, stylised bust of a sphinx with detailed breast and lion paws. Cf. Dimitrova Tonkova, 'Hellenistic Jewellery from the Colonies on the West Black Sea Coast,' in Archaeology in Bulgaria, Vol.1, no.1, 1997, pp.83-102, figs.5, 7, pl.IV, no.4, pl.V, nos.1,2, pl.VI,3 for the type. 2.55 grams, 26 mm (1 in.). Acquired 1980-2015.Ex Abelita family collection. Earrings with a sphinx represent a variety of the earrings created by the Hellenised goldsmiths of the Black Sea area. These figures usually had an inlaid garnet and are dated between late 3rd and 2nd century B.C. They belong to the category of earrings with a female head, often visible in graves of the Black Sea area and not always of good quality.