Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An elegant 22K gold earring presenting an elaborate decorative program featuring a trio of bisected circular motifs alternating with a trio of grape clusters comprised of petite granules attached below the hemispheric form of the hoop and a larger ornament comprised of a bisected circle adorned by a trio of grape clusters comprised of petite granules sitting within the hoop. The termini of the hemispheric composition are punctuated by larger bulbous elements to which the catch was fitted. Size: decorative section .75" L x 1" W (1.9 cm x 2.5 cm); 1.375" L x 1" W (3.5 cm x 2.5 cm) including catch; weight: 4.1 grams

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!

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#131797

Catch no longer works, but the earring could probably be fit to a modern setting by a reputable jeweler. Otherwise excellent.