Description:

Eastern Roman, Imperial Period, possibly Nabatean, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A beautiful pair of matching 18K gold hoop earrings, each one comprised of 12 spherical forms (made from joined hemispheres) with bands of granules between them, and a pair of hemispheres flanking the catch. Believe it or not, the Romans invented the hoop earring which developed around 300 BCE. The spherical motif used in these earrings may have been intended to represent grapes, associated with Bacchus (Greek Dionysos), the god of wine, grapes, and merriment! Size: each earring measures 1.375" in diameter (3.5 cm)

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. The cult of Bacchus was hugely popular, signifying the freedom created by wine, music, and ecstatic dance!

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#133106

  • Condition: Minor dents to a few spheres, two with minute fissures. The catches move, but are missing pins. These could probably be fitted with modern settings by a respectable jeweler in order to wear.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

April 26, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000