Greece, Hellenistic Period, ca. 2nd to 1st century BCE. A dazzling pair of wearable 77% (equivalent to greater than 18K+) gold earrings with lovely inlays of translucent garnet in a rich hue of dark violet-red and turquoise from ancient Greece. Nearly identical in form, each gorgeous ornament boasts a sizable egg-shaped cabochon garnet with a round face surrounded by a border of golden spheres and topped with a crescent inlay filled with garnet on one and enveloped in even smaller golden orbs. A hemispherical turquoise embellishment encompassed by golden dots is featured at the end of each earring, serving as a type of finial. Both are fit with a gold backing and a thick golden suspension loop with a peg for securing closed. A truly eye-catching combination of ancient art and modern style! Precious metal quality: 77.16% (equivalent to 18K+) gold and 16.29% silver, with 4.27% copper; Size (both the same size): 0.75" W x 1.875" H (1.9 cm x 4.8 cm); Weight: 14.3 grams

It is believed that the crescent moon was a symbol of Ishtar, the Near Eastern goddess of love and war.

This style is called polychrome, and it is based on the combination of color of the metal that creates the shape and structure of the item and the colors of stones that fill it. Such design influenced the whole Hellenistic jewelry and continued into the Roman period

This gorgeous pair of earrings was published in "Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry: Exquisite objects from the Cradle of Civilization" (Philadelphia: Running Press, 2008) by Judith Price on pages 77 through 79.

Provenance: ex-private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-French Art Market, France, 2005

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#163397

One suspension peg is modern and gold-filled (12 karat). Crescent-shaped garnet inlay missing on one earring. One stable hairline fissure on each garnet. Very light indentations and scratches commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent and wearable with lovely patina.