**Originally Listed At $500**

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A 14 karat gold earring in the form of a winged cupid (erote). In the Roman period, Cupid had become a child (in earlier Greek times, he was often a muscular youth), but he retains his mischievous air, ready to help couples fall in love through not-entirely-innocent interventions. Size: 0.45" W x 1" H (1.1 cm x 2.5 cm); 1.7 grams

Gold is a rare find from the Roman Empire. As the Empire expanded, they gained access to mineral sources that allowed them to make rich gold items. Iberia was the major source of gold for the Romans, and there is widescale evidence for Roman mining of the region. Gold was also mined in Gaul and Britain, and, in some rare instances, imported from as far afield as India. However, the amount of gold available to the Romans was relatively small, and gold items are indicative of great wealth.

Provenance: private Oak Park, Illinois, USA collection

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#127053

Very slight bending to form. Otherwise in excellent condition.