Hair spiral or spiral earring
Date475–310 BCE
PeriodClassical
CultureCypriot
MediumGold over copper alloy core
ClassificationMetalwork
ProvenanceFound by Luigi Palma di Cesnola (American Consul to Cyprus, 1865–1876); purchased by subscription by the Metropolitan Museum of Art 1874–1876; (sale, the Anderson Galleries, New York), April 20, 1928; purchased by John Ringling; bequest to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 1936-present.
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN28.2307
Spiral ornaments were worn in the hair and the ear. Smaller, less ornamented examples are thought to be for the hair. However, size might instead be linked with the age of the wearer.
On View
Not on viewWeight: 0.012 pounds (5.49 gm)
Diameter (exterior): 5/8 in. (1.57 to 1.61 cm)
Width: 5/8 in. (1.55 cm)
Coil
Diameter (rod): 3/16 in. (0.43 cm)
Diameter (interior): 5/16 in. (0.68 to 0.91 cm)
Length (if uncoiled): 2 3/4 in. (ca 7 cm)
Medium Details
Color (Munsell soil color chart)
n/a
Inclusions
n/a
475-310 BCE
1650-1050 BCE
second quarter of the 6th century BCE
first half of the 6th century BCE
1050–310 BCE
1950-1650 BCE
3rd century BCE–1st century CE
first half of the 4th century BCE
2400-2100 BCE