The earring consists of a dual polypetalous rosette shield, to which a naked Eros figurine is attached. The figurine is quite clumsy, thin, with indistinct face and slightly contoured torso muscles. Wings were made separately and soldered to the back.
Eros is a character of Greek mythology, a deity of love. He is the son of Aphrodite and her constant companion. Some ancient authors considered Chaos as his father, others thought of Zeus or Atreus. Numerous parallels with constructive characteristics of the earring (such as the complex rosette and the pendant-winged figurine) can be found among adornments common in Greek jewelry art. They are frequently found in gravesites. It allows to interpret them as “psychopomps” (soul conductors), which carry a soul, navigating their way above land and sea.
en
