Sororitas Earrings

These little earrings were inspired by the numerous examples known today of Late Bronze Age Mycenaean painted terracotta figurines, dating between 1400 and 1100 BC. Because we know so little about them, the small figures are known today as the Greek letters "Phi" and "Psi." The one with hands folded across the chest has a generally rounded body, resembling the Phi (φ), while the one with hands raised recalls the Psi (ψ).

The figurines, which typically measure 11 - 14 cm in height, are quite schematic, but they do have important details, such as protruding breasts (thus indicating their gender), and painted patterns that indicate their clothing. Their facial features are often painted, as are jewelry and ornaments such as necklaces, which are often depicted as small dots surrounding the neck. These female figurines may have been religious in nature, depicting goddesses or worshippers, or they may have been toys, as many have been found in children's graves.

Our earring pair includes one of each type, the Phi and the Psi.

"Sororitas" in Latin means "sisterhood" or of or pertaining to sisters.