Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A stunning pair of ancient Roman gold hoop earrings - comprised of 84% gold or the equivalent of 20K+. Notice that the surfaces of the hoops are incised with scales; in addition, the front and back ends of each hoop resolve in an attractive slender looped wire, perhaps to represent a coiling serpent. What's more, this pair is fitted to modern posts making them perfectly wearable! Believe it or not, the Romans invented the hoop earring which developed around 300 BCE. Hoop earrings on occasion were ornamented with finials representing animals, Maenads (the intoxicated women also known as Bacchae), slaves, or the Greek god Eros. These earrings seem to present a coiling snake which symbolized immortality and was a popular Roman motif. Weight: 2.5 grams Size: 2.75" L x 1.125" H (7 cm x 2.9 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#142990

  • Condition: Normal surface wear and slight bending to forms commensurate with age. While the earrings are ancient, the fittings/posts are modern to make these earrings wearable.

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February 6, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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