Ca. 4th century BC. An enchanting pair of gold earrings, a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of ancient goldsmiths. Each earring is a masterful work of art, with a delicate hook adorned by a tiny five-petaled flower and a recessed disc embellished with rosettes and intricate scrollwork. Two short chains, suspended from opposite sides of each earring, lead to a boat-shaped dangle, which is adorned with delicate filigree and crowned with the mesmerizing visages of sirens. These mythical creatures, half-bird, half-woman, were revered in Hellenistic culture for their enchanting voices and their ability to lure sailors to their doom. The filigree work that adorns the boat dangle is a stunning display of the ancient goldsmith's craft. Delicate flowers adorn the finials, while the central portion of the boat's upper edge is graced with the heads of sirens with a remarkable sense of realism. The bottom edge of the boat is adorned with intricate clusters of filigree, which shimmer in the light with an otherworldly beauty. In Greek mythology, sirens were often portrayed as dangerous creatures who lured sailors to their death with their beautiful songs. This made them a powerful symbol of temptation and danger, and their presence in Hellenistic art and literature served to caution against the allure of forbidden pleasures.Size: L:52.1mm / W:22.6mm ; 9gProvenance: Property of a central London Gallery; formerly with a European collector, ex. Private Dutch collection; previously in English private collection, 1980.