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 formed from a thin sheet of gold, and a series of granules forming grape clusters below. A stunning combination of modern style and ancient art! Size without hook (both about the same): 1.1" L x 0.8" W (2.8 cm x 2 cm); with hook: 1.7" L (4.3 cm); gold quality: 72.77 to 74.89% (equivalent to over 17 karats); total weight: 3.6 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: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#183950

Ancient earrings fit with moder, 14-karat gold-plated hooks to be wearable. Loss of 2 grapes on 1 earring; other is intact. Both have some bending to hoops and shields, as well as a few indentations. Otherwise, both have a very nice presentation and are wearable.