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This ornament takes the shape of Nike—the goddess of victory—driving a two-horse chariot (biga). Once an earring, perhaps worn by a royal person or decorating a statue, a hoop on the underside was probably attached to an ear wire, which is now missing. The craftsmanship of the earring is extraordinary. More than 100 individual elements have been soldered together, and there is evidence that it was originally further decorated with enamel. The detailed gold figures are modeled in the round and form a pendant suspended from a disc in the shape of a honeysuckle palmette. Wearing a belted tunic (chiton), a full-length skirt, and several items of jewelry, Nike leans forward, her left hand pulling on the reins of the horses, whose front legs rear sharply. The goddess's facial features are crisp and her expression resolute, while the animals appear startled and tense. Raised as if in flight, Nike's elaborate, feathery, and finely chased wings provide an elegant counterbalance to the dynamic composition.
View: 3/4 left profile
Earring with Nike driving a two-horse chariot
Greek, Northern Greek
Late Classical or Early Hellenistic Period
about 350–325 B.C.
Medium/Technique
Gold and enamel
Dimensions
Height: 5cm (1 15/16in.)
Weight: 15.8 gm (0.03 lb.)
Weight: 15.8 gm (0.03 lb.)
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number98.788
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsJewelry, Ancient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Earrings, flares, plugs, studs
This ornament takes the shape of Nike—the goddess of victory—driving a two-horse chariot (biga). Once an earring, perhaps worn by a royal person or decorating a statue, a hoop on the underside was probably attached to an ear wire, which is now missing. The craftsmanship of the earring is extraordinary. More than 100 individual elements have been soldered together, and there is evidence that it was originally further decorated with enamel. The detailed gold figures are modeled in the round and form a pendant suspended from a disc in the shape of a honeysuckle palmette. Wearing a belted tunic (chiton), a full-length skirt, and several items of jewelry, Nike leans forward, her left hand pulling on the reins of the horses, whose front legs rear sharply. The goddess's facial features are crisp and her expression resolute, while the animals appear startled and tense. Raised as if in flight, Nike's elaborate, feathery, and finely chased wings provide an elegant counterbalance to the dynamic composition.
Catalogue Raisonné
Highlights: Classical Art (MFA), p. 042.
DescriptionEarring in form of Nike driving a two-horse chariot (biga). The figures are modeled in the round and form a pendant suspended from a disc in the shape of a honeysuckle palmette. Wearing a belted chiton (tunic), a full-length skirt, and several items of jewelry, Nike leans forward, her left hand pulling on the reins of the horses, whose front legs rear sharply. The features on the goddess's face are crisp and her expression resolute, while the animals appear startled and tense. Raised as if in flight, Nike's elaborate, feathery, and finely chased wings provide an elegant counterbalance to the dynamic composition.
The ornament is composed of more than a hundred individual elements soldered together. The bodies of the figures are crafted from gold sheet that is embellished with wirework details and small gold balls. The honeysuckle palmette is fashioned into curved petals and circular stamens outlined with fine twisted wires; remnants of enamel survive on several of the stamens. In the center of the leaf is a tear-shaped fruit encrusted with dense gold granulation. A hoop on the underside was probably attached to an ear wire, which is now missing.
The ornament is composed of more than a hundred individual elements soldered together. The bodies of the figures are crafted from gold sheet that is embellished with wirework details and small gold balls. The honeysuckle palmette is fashioned into curved petals and circular stamens outlined with fine twisted wires; remnants of enamel survive on several of the stamens. In the center of the leaf is a tear-shaped fruit encrusted with dense gold granulation. A hoop on the underside was probably attached to an ear wire, which is now missing.
ProvenanceBy 1892: Count Michel Tyszkiewicz Collection (according to W. Fröhner, La Collection Tyszkiewicz, 1897, pl. 1, no. 2: found in the Peloponnesos); by 1898: with Edward Perry Warren; 1898: purchased by MFA from Edward Perry Warren for $ 69,618.13 (this figure is the total price for MFA 98.641-98.940)