2nd century BC. An earring formed as a loop with bull's head and tail terminals; detailing to bull's curled horns, its muzzle, ears, eyes, textured coat and neck formed as a collar of granulated beads; sleeve of twisted gold wire around the loop and a series of free-running stone and composition beads, granulated collars between. Similar specimen in the Estate of Mathilda Goldman, sold in auction by Christie's, sale 9826, Ancient Jewelry, New York, 5 December 2001, lot 63, p.42. 3.11 grams, 30mm (1 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; formerly in the private collection of an English lady previously living in Oxford; acquired on the UK art market from the mid 1980s. The abundant sources of gold and precious stones from the East, after the conquest of Alexander the Great, influenced the change in styles of Greek art, creating more colourful artistic models and new motifs such as figurines of gods, frequently Eros and Nike, figurines of doves and also crescent moon designs. Similar earrings have been found across the Mediterranean basin, especially in Greece and one even in Israel.