Images(9)

Earring

Object number2019.98.6 a-c

Date1867

MediumMetal; Applied decoration; Fabric

Credit LineGift of Charlotte O'Neil Oliver

DescriptionMetal earrings with black and white applied decoration with a yellow fabric pouch. Both earrings are gold-colored metal with black and white applied decoration on the front. Earrings are an upturned crescent shape with an engraved border around the edge. Inside the border is a black background with gold-colored text on the left and right sides with shield in the middle. Shield has a gold-colored outline, white applied decoration, and an upturned crescent shape above a key crossed with a sword in the middle. A metal bar across top of crescent connects the two points and has a loop on the top of the bar with an earring hook. One of the earrings has engraved text on the back. Yellow fabric pouch is rectangular in shape with an opening at the top and a red drawstring closure.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a,b): 1.25 x 0.813 x 0.438 in. (3.2 x 2.1 x 1.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 2.5 x 2.625 x 0.438 in. (6.4 x 6.7 x 1.1 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Gold-colored text on front of earring: "[star] Δ / [star] Κ". (Translated from Greek: "Delta" and "Kappa".)

Engraved text on back of earring: "Orlando M. Harper / Yale '67".
Historical NotesDelta Kappa earrings engraved with the name “Orlando M. Harper, Yale ‘67”. Orlando was born in 1846 to John Harper and Lydia Electa Metcalf Harper. He attended Yale University and later worked in the cotton business in both Western Pennsylvania and New York. The earrings might have been bought through his fraternity and presented to a female relative, likely his mother as he did not marry until twenty years after his graduation.

Previous owner Lydia Electa Metcalf Harper

Related person Orlando M. Harper

Related person John Harper

Related institution Delta Kappa

Related institution Yale University

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