Ancient Mesopotamian Lapis Lazuli Earrings

These wonderful and extraordinarily old lapis lazuli beads were excavated from archeological sites in the far reaches of Afghanistan. Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians utilised the intense blue of the lapis in much of their adornment. Here they hang from a rectangular 22kt gold post and a very fine tubular bead of equal ancient origin.  Overall length of 5.5cm with hammered gold ornament beneath.