Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. Truly magnificent, an 18K gold earring of an intricate design featuring a hemispheric face attached to a wide hoop adorned by a central band of petite granules with a cluster of dropping grape clusters comprised of five large granules wrapped with filigree. 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! Size: hoop measures .75" in diameter (1.9 cm); 1.25" L x .75" W (3.2 cm x 1.9 cm) including grape cluster; weight: 2.4 grams

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#131799

Minor denting to hemisphere, hoop, and a few granules. Minute losses to a few granules as well. Not wearable as is, but could be fit with a modern setting to remedy this.