Earrings and pendant

Inv. No. EA 1885: Silver-gilt earrings, of a solid cast heart and a hanging filigree drop with a tiny suspended toutouni (spherical filigree bead). The earrings are secured onto the ear by means of a wire hook fastening. The bottom of the hook is affixed to the lower end of the heart, while its opposite, bending end passes through the pierced ear lobe and locks into a small hole at the top of the heart. The filigree drop passes through the hook and hangs from the base of the fastening. Length: 5,7 cm. Published in: Hadjimichali 1983, 397m fig. 426; Ελληνικά Κοσμήματα (Greek Jewels) 1999, fig. 286. This type of earrings is quite common, and there are many variants in terms of its upper element, which is often a tiny rosette (for similar examples see Pieridou 1980, table LIVb, d; Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 192-93).   Inv. No. EA 1884: Silver-gilt pendant comprising a chain of spherical filigree beads (toutounia), and a filigree cross. The boards of the cross consist of four drop-shaped elements, like those of the earrings Inv. No. EA 1885, soldered to a central rosette-shaped part, with a blue stone in the middle. Red beads are affixed at the angles between the drop-shaped elements, three of which have tiny wire beads hanging from their ends. The fourth element is connected, through a ring, to the chain, which consists of 19 toutounia alternating with coral-coloured beads. Dimensions of the cross: 7x6,5 cm. Length of chain: 32,5 cm. Publications: Hadjimichali 1983, 397, fig. 426. Ελληνικά Κοσμήματα (Greek Jewels) 1999, fig. 286. The cross with the toutounia is one of the most characteristic types of traditional Cypriot jewellery. Several examples are preserved in museums and private collections (see i.e. Tarsouli 1955, table 19 opposite p. 216; Pieridou 1980, table LVd; Rizopoulou-Egoumenidou 1996, 199 figs. 183, 184 · The Cypriot Costumes 1999, 180 figs. 183b; Mazarakis-Ainian - Iakovou 1995, 26; Papademetriou 2000, 72).