Roman Gold Earrings - Shield / Grape Clusters (pr)
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Description
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A dazzling pair of gold earrings comprised of twisted hoops with petite shields and suspended grape clusters, all fit on modern hooks to be wearable. Nearly identical, each adornment features a slender wire of gold that twists to a spiraling design, forming the hoop of the earring, a convex shield with a central nodule, and a twisted periphery, and a series of 6 pyramidal clusters of granules - known as grape clusters - cascading from the bottom. A stunning combination of modern style and ancient art! Size without hook (both about the same): 1.3" L x 0.8" W (3.3 cm x 2 cm); with hook: 1.8" L (4.6 cm); gold quality: 82.9% (equivalent to 19K+); total weight: 5.9 grams
Grapes were an essential part of Roman culture. The ancient Romans were the first civilization to cultivate grape vines. Grapes and wine of course were associated with Bacchus (identified in ancient Greece as Dionysos or Dionysus) - the Olympian god of wine, pleasure, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theatre who was sometimes depicted as a bearded adult but alternatively depicted as a youth, with a smooth face. The cult of Bacchus was hugely popular, signifying the freedom created by wine, music, and ecstatic dance. Romans knew the power of partying! Perhaps these were worn to their festivities.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired March 2022; ex-Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Los Angeles, California, USA; ex-private East Coast, USA collection, acquired prior to 1979
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.
#173903
Grapes were an essential part of Roman culture. The ancient Romans were the first civilization to cultivate grape vines. Grapes and wine of course were associated with Bacchus (identified in ancient Greece as Dionysos or Dionysus) - the Olympian god of wine, pleasure, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theatre who was sometimes depicted as a bearded adult but alternatively depicted as a youth, with a smooth face. The cult of Bacchus was hugely popular, signifying the freedom created by wine, music, and ecstatic dance. Romans knew the power of partying! Perhaps these were worn to their festivities.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired March 2022; ex-Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Los Angeles, California, USA; ex-private East Coast, USA collection, acquired prior to 1979
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.
#173903
Condition
Ancient hoops set on modern hooks to be wearable. Slight bending to gold wire, commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with scattered areas of earthen deposits. Accompanied by modern velvet earring box.
Buyer's Premium
- 26.5%
Roman Gold Earrings - Shield / Grape Clusters (pr)
Estimate $4,000 - $6,000
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usOffers In-House Shipping
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