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Interior, Gold Earring from Ur III
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...

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A Gold Earring from Ur III
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...

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Interior Cuneiform of Gold Earring, Ur III
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...

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Side View, Gold Earrings, Ur III
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...

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Gold Earrings, Ur III, Mesopotamia
The convex and carved surfaces of the earrings. Each earring is composed of nine lunar-shaped segments forming a flattened half- ball. The cuneiform signs run vertically from above downward, starting from the right end. A pair of gold earrings...

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Mesopotamian Gold Earrings, Ur III
Both earrings are placed in a mirror-image position, with the lower surfaces facing each other. Each earring is composed of nine lunar-shaped segments forming a flattened half- ball. The cuneiform signs run vertically from above downward...

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Cuneiform on Gold Earrings from Ur III
Both earrings are placed in a mirror-image position, with the lower surfaces facing each other. Each earring is composed of nine lunar-shaped segments forming a flattened half- ball. The cuneiform signs run vertically from above downward...

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Persian Gold Daric
Gold daric from Persia, kingdom of Achaemenids, 5th-4th century BCE. O: King with bow and quiver. R: Incuse oblong.

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Achaemenid Gold Armlet
This is one of a pair of golden armlets. These objects are among the most important surviving items from ancient Persian craftsmanship. It is likely that they were intended for display rather than being worn. The lion-griffin terminals were...

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Bird-shaped Gold Pectoral from Costa Rica
At home on land or water and in the air, birds are important to art and mythology. They often symbolize the flight of soul up to heaven. From Costa Rica, South America, 11th to 16th century CE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)