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The gold cities earrings
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver
  • The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver

The gold cities, pre-hispanic zapotec meander earrings in sterling silver

They are made of sterling silver (925) handmade in my studio.

These sterling silver basket earrings represent the meander patterns used in the art of Pre-Hispanic Zapotec culture. This culture is localized in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. This is a type of design that is found in the post-classical period of this civilization, that is to say, the last period before the Spanish colonization of Mexico. These appear in Zapotec architecture of city states of that time (such as palaces and tomb of Mitla and Yagul), decorations of polychrome ceramics and in jewelry... The most important example is the treasure of the tomb 7 of Monte Alban, now exhibited at the Museum of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca. Considered the greatest treasure discovered in Mexico, there is such a variety of gold or silver rings with this kind of meander motif.
the exact meaning of these meander remains a mystery, although there are many proposals of interpretations. We found the idea of representation of the stages of life, as that of extraterrestrial writing. Are frequently proposed that these representations of the serpent, symbol of water. Hence the relationship with Cocijo, Zapotec god of water and rain. It is known as Tlaloc by the Aztecs or Chac by the Maya.

I named these earrings "the gold cities" in reference to a cartoon, the mysterious cities of gold, which I was raised and sparked my interest in the Pre-Hispanic cultures, which is the theme of this series.

To give a bit of roundness and originality to these earrings, I folded the silver sheet to give it the shape of a basket. Clinging to its handle, it adopts a slight movement that will accompany your every step.

It is artisan etched. The etching process takes times but the result allows appreciating the intricate and delicate patterns. The bas relief effect is really nice. The deeper part is matte and the upper part has been sanded and polished. Shiny finish.

Etching is an artisanal process, which produces a unique design each time I use it. Two pieces with a same design will never be exactly the same by the hazards of the process. Each detail makes a unique piece.

They are 4cm long (1.575 inches).

The meander pattern basket is 1.2cm wide (0.472 inches).

As we currently dwell in Mexico, provide a period of 3 to 6 weeks to receive your order. Thank you for taking this information into account before ordering in our shop (please, read the complete conditions of shipping here).

You have a question? Contact us.

I hope you will love this jewel as much as I enjoyed creating it.

By Emmanuelle Guyon.

Tags: earrings, basket, sterling silver, Maya, Mexico, Mexicanjewelry, etched, engraved, Pre-Columbian, mexican, culture, archeology, meander, zapotec, Pre-Hispanic, etched, etching, Oaxaca, city-state, post-classical, the mysterious cities of gold, Monte Alban, Mitla, Yagul, jewel, Aztec, treasure, tomb 7, water, Tlaloc, Cocijo, Chac.