Gaia Caecilia Earrings

Our beautiful "baule" earring is inspired by an ancient Etruscan example dating to the sixth century BC. The Italian word "baule" means "bag," in the sense of a trunk or suitcase. The baule was one of the most popular types of earring made by the Etruscans, whose work with gold jewelry still impresses, today. These wondrous earrings featured a nearly complete cylindrical shape, and were typically highly ornamented on the front. Our baule earring features the pomegranate fruit, a popular decorative motif in Etruscan jewelry and in ancient art, in general. It has a post back.

Gaia Caecilia was the Roman name for their legendary Etruscan queen, Tanaquil (wife of Rome's fifth king, Tarquin the Elder), once the Romans later deified her. Tanaquil, as princess, had gained fame as “well skilled in celestial prophecies” (Livy, History 1.34.9). As the goddess Gaia Caecilia, she presided over the activities of the dutiful Etruscan and Roman wife: spinning and weaving. Indeed, her name became synonymous with the modesty and dedication of the proper wife, for the Roman marriage ritual ended with the bride saying, "Ubi tu Gaius, ibi ego Gaia," or, "Where you are Gaius, I shall be Gaia."