Description:

Near East/Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 9th to early 13th century CE. A pair of beautiful dangling, conical shaped gilded copper earrings with elaborate surfaces studded with granulations and four turquoise stones each. Large gilded copper balls form the bases. A thick, lunate form with a narrow hook at the top allows them to be worn. Size of one: 1" W x 3.45" H (2.5 cm x 8.8 cm); total weight: 15.1 grams

During the 7th to 9th centuries, the Byzantine Empire was in a state of economic and social crisis, repeatedly rocked by invasions, plagues, famines, and other disasters - a time period often called "The Dark Ages". Emerging from that period, it seems that the people of the Byzantine Empire wished to flaunt their wealth and embellish themselves with beautiful things. For example, in excavations of Byzantine graves from this period at Thessaloniki, jewelry like these earrings is found with both men and women in great quantities. These would have been treasured items for a person living in this optimistic, dynamic time.

Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA

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#140048

  • Condition: Light patina on surface. Both are in excellent condition with intact and functional hooks. Gorgeous and wearable.

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November 29, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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