Roman Empire, likely the Persian Gulf region, ca. 1st to 3rd centuries CE. Beautiful pair of high karat (24 karat) gold earrings. Each is a crescent-shaped loop with three dangles, one still retaining an original bead - possibly a pearl. Size: 3 grams for the pair; 3/4"W x 1-3/4"H.

In essence, these earrings are highly adorned hoop earrings, and believe it or not, the Romans even invented the “hoop earring” which developed around 300 BCE. Hoop earrings were sometimes ornamented with dangles, as we see in this example, and on occasion finials representing animals, Maenads (the intoxicated women also known as Bacchae), slaves, or the Greek god Eros. Since the Roman Empire was so vast, the Romans had access to a wide variety of materials for their jewelry garnered from across Europe and the Mediterranean. Their extensive trade network along the Silk Road from Persia, the Indus Valley, India and the Far East made it possible to acquire exotic materials and precious gemstones. Pearls from the Persian Gulf were among their favorite gemstones.

Provenance: Ex-private New York City, NY collection

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#100421

Original bead intact on only one dangle, possibly a pearl, else excellent.