Gold in antiquity: Did you mean...?

This is the upper surface of the earring. Note how the cuneiform signs were carved and distributed and their distance from the center. The cuneiform text is read vertically, from the upper surface downwards on each segment, and it continues...

Gold crown ornaments from the Baekje kingdom of ancient Korea. From the tomb of King Muryeong (r. 501-523 BCE), near Gongju. National Treasure No. 155. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul)

The interior hollow surface of the earring. Note how the carved cuneiform signs appear on this side and how the goldsmith joined the “lunar-shaped” segments of the earring. One of a pair of gold earrings, 24 carats. Gift from Shulgi to a...

The interior hollow surface of the earring. Note how the carved cuneiform signs appear on this side and how the goldsmith joined the “lunar-shaped” segments of the earring. The cuneiform text is read vertically, from the upper surface downwards...

These are the upper surfaces of both earrings, with their concavity facing right. Note that the cuneiform signs are identical on the corresponding sides. A pair of gold earrings, 24 carats, approximately 48 grams. Gift from Shulgi to a chief...

Roman gold and saphire ring, second half of the 2nd century CE. The ring has a garnet centre stone. From an unidentified marble sarcophagus in Rome. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome)

This is the upper surface of the earring . The right lower circle is broken and at the center of the trifoliate group lies a single golden sphere. The cuneiform text is read vertically, from the upper surface downwards on each segment, and...

4th century BCE gold Olive wreath from Macedonia, both a religious symbol and indicator of social position and power (Archaeological Museum, Thessaloniki, Greece)

A gold glove from a tomb of the Lambayeque Civilization of northern Peru, 900-1375 CE. (Museo Oro del Perú y Armas del Mundo, Lima, Peru)

This is the lower surface of the earring. The cuneiform text is read vertically, from the upper surface downwards on each segment, and it continues from right to left. One of a pair of gold earrings, 24 carats. Gift from Shulgi to a chief...