Split ring ear ornament

Title
Split ring ear ornament
Year/Period
200-700 BCE
Region
Central or East Java, Indonesia
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Object size: L2.3 x W2.2 x H0.9 cm
Accession No.
1997-03685
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng

This relatively simple split-ring ear ornament most likely dates to between the 3rd and 8th century and is one of the many styles of ear ornaments known to have come from central and east Java during this period. It was cast using a mould into which molten gold was poured. During this period of time Javanese craftsmen had begun adopting more sophisticated techniques, using heat to work gold, which allowed them to create more elaborate designs. Southeast Asia is thought to have had substantial supplies of gold in ancient times and was renowned by ancient traders as a source of the precious metal.