Lot 43
Greece, Hellenistic period, ca. late 4th to 2nd century CE. A matching pair of incredibly ornate, beautifully constructed gold earrings (90% gold, equivalent to 21K+), each with a hoop composed of a gradually broadening spiral that terminates in a detailed, lifelike bull head, comprised of hammered sheet with filigree and repousse details. Notice the marvelous rendering of the animal's fur coat, beady eyes, and pointy horns. The coat is particularly impressive - such tiny details, expertly done! Size of one: 1" W (2.5 cm); gold is 90%, equivalent to 21K+; total weight of both: 3.2 grams
In Greek society, as elsewhere in antiquity, bulls were a powerful religious symbol. For example, in Greek rural communities, there was a bull-cult ritual. It was sacrificial and usually held in a cave. The bull was customarily identified with a deity, usually Dionysos, Zeus, or Poseidon, and the sacrifice of the animal symbolized the god's death and rebirth. In addition, Dionysos was sometimes represented as a hybrid man-bull form with horns and was honored at fertility festivals. A bull sacrifice was also part of the Eleusinian mystery cult of Demeter and Persephone. Given all these associations, it is no wonder that the bull was a popular figure in visual culture.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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#140556
- Condition: One has had its bull head reattached; this is well done and almost impossible to discern. The other as a small tear to its spiral end. An expert jeweler should be able to make these wearable, but they are fragile.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |