One of two gold-mounted earrings with miniature portraits of Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth, who died in 1623, and his wife, early 17th century

One of two gold-mounted earrings with miniature portraits of Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth, who died in 1623, and his wife, early 17th century

Silver earring with globular head, from Traprain Law, East Lothian, 410 - 425 AD

One of a pair of platinum earrings, spotted with gold and engraved on both sides: Scottish, Banchory, designed and engraved by Malcolm Appleby, made by Andrew Metcalfe, 1993

One of a pair of platinum earrings, spotted with gold and engraved on both sides: Scottish, Banchory, designed and engraved by Malcolm Appleby, made by Andrew Metcalfe, 1993

Penannular-shaped earring consisting of four hoops of gold, slightly flattened in section: Ancient Egyptian, Middle Egypt, Riqqa, Tomb of the Scribe Beri, 18th Dynasty

Earring of gold consisting of four hollow penannular hoops, soldered together at their bases : Ancient Egyptian, Middle Egypt, Riqqa, Tomb of Beri, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c.1539 - 1292 BC

Earring of gold consisting of four hollow penannular hoops soldered together at their bases: Ancient Egyptian, Middle Egypt, Riqqa, Tomb of Beri, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c.1539 - 1292 BC

One of a pair of earrings of dark brown plaited human hair, consisting of three spherical woven beads: English, mid 19th century

One of a pair of earrings of dark brown plaited human hair, consisting of three spherical woven beads: English, mid 19th century

Earrings (ninkari), pair, metal hoop with wire wrapped around one section, worn by a woman: Japan, Hokkaido, Ainu, 19th to early 20th century

Woman's earring of brass, a coiled hoop with a soldered teardrop shape with turquoise insets: Asia, South Asia, Bhutan

Earring of brass, lozenge-shaped in cross-section and tapering to a point below, and set with a turquoise blue bead: probably Bhutan

Earring of brass, lozenge-shaped in cross-section and tapering to a point below, and set with a turquoise blue bead: probably Bhutan

One of a pair of earrings of coiled bronze wire: Central Asia, Nepal or Indonesia, Java

One of a pair of earrings of coiled bronze wire: Central Asia, Nepal or Indonesia, Java