Earring
ca. 1870 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The granulated design on these earings was produced using particles of solder to secure the very small grains of gold. In the 19th century goldsmiths admired the skills of their ancient predecessors. They were especially fascinated to know how the Etruscan goldsmiths created patterns composed of wires and grains applied without any sign of solder. In 1884 the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann described granulation (the application of small, sometimes minute, gold grains) as an ‘art which now baffles the comprehension of the most skilful of the skilful’.
In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees C the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place.
In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees C the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Gold, with granulation and filigree |
Brief description | Pair of gold earrings with granulation, United States, about 1870. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein |
Summary | The granulated design on these earings was produced using particles of solder to secure the very small grains of gold. In the 19th century goldsmiths admired the skills of their ancient predecessors. They were especially fascinated to know how the Etruscan goldsmiths created patterns composed of wires and grains applied without any sign of solder. In 1884 the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann described granulation (the application of small, sometimes minute, gold grains) as an ‘art which now baffles the comprehension of the most skilful of the skilful’. In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees C the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place. |
Other number | 72 - Goldstein Collection number |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.115:1, 2-2007 |
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Record created | April 29, 2008 |
Record URL |
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