Czére Andrea szerk.: A Szépművészeti Múzeum közleményei 105. (Budapest, 2006)

MARIANNA DÁGI: Training the Eye: Technical Details as Clues in the Attribution of Ancient Jewellery

no eyelash-like pattern under the eye. Instead we find a single arched line. This points to a change of concept in the shaping of details around the eyes during the making of the pair of earrings. On these mentioned three sides, however, the differences which appear in the shaping of the further details of the eye (the tear-duct and corner) refer not to another concept, but to uncertain use of his tool by the goldsmith (see figs. 3/k-L, 4/k.). Four further technical details seem to substantiate the idea that the two pairs of earrings are much more nearly related than their superficial closeness might suggest. In my opinion, the following details point to the same hand: 4. On the pair of earrings 3-4., the scalloped edge of the base-sheet of the connecting element is serrated in places (cf. figs. 3/g., 4/f. and 1/i., 2/i.). 5. The round shaped punch-mark in the ears shows the same difference here, as on the pair of earrings 1 and 2: that is to say, the mark of the tip of the punch is clearly visible in the right ears, hut cannot be seen in the left (cf. figs. 3/h-i, 4/g-h., and 1/e-f., 2/e-f.). 6. The ends of the long, round-tipped wire arches on the connecting element bend slightly inwards (cf. figs. 3/f., 4/e. and 1/h., 2/h.). 7. The catch-ring which has survived on the piece no. 3 was made from the same thick strip of sheet gold as on no. 1 and 2 pieces. In addition, the shape of the catch-rings is also identical. That is to sav, it is straight on the bottom and rounded on the sides, with both ends straight and bent inwards on the diagonal: the ends do not meet (cf. figs. 3/e. and 1/g., 2/g.). Analysing the shape of the catch-rings, we can even reconstruct the series of hand- and tool-movements that were used in making them. The goldsmith held the strip of sheet at the centre, and then bent the sheet at an angle of 45 degrees perhaps using round nose pliers at two points equidistant from the two ends. Technical evidence of the connection between the bull's-head hoop earrings with complex connecting element (nos. 5-7): The following details enable us to postulate a connection between the paired earrings (nos. 5-6, figs. 5/ a-d., 6/a-d.), and the solo one (no. 7, figs. 7/a-d.): 1. On all three pieces, a rib can be found under the chin of the bull's head which points to the head presumably having been made from two halves (cf. figs. 5/g., 6/g., and 7/h.). 2. The sides of the long, round-tipped wire arches on the truncated cone part of the connecting element are straight and diverge slightly (cf. figs. 5/h., 6/h., and 7/i.). 3. The cylinder part of the connecting element is decorated with a rib on piece no. 7, as well as on the pair of earrings nos. 5-6 (cf. figs. 7/f., and 5/f., 6/f). In this case, however, only the decoration-