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Lot 24
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Roman Gold / Bone Earrings Bull Heads (pr)
Roman Gold / Bone Earrings Bull Heads (pr)
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Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A matched pair of incredible 88% gold earrings (equivalent to 21K+), each with a curved, twisted gold stem that fits neatly into a loop under the chin of an exquisitely constructed, hollow bull's head. The heads and necks of the bulls have fine details, each with reins and eyes, broad snouts, and projecting ears and horns. At the other terminal of each stem is a flaring conical gold form with ornate style. Where the back of the bull's head meets these cones, there is a spherical cow bone bead, highly polished to a mottled cream color. These earrings would have belonged to an elite Roman woman. Size of each: 1.45" W (3.7 cm); quality of gold: 88% (equivalent to 21K+); total weight: 17.8 grams

Roman women - especially of the upper classes - had their ears pierced and wore one set of earrings. Jewelry was particularly important to women in Roman society because it was legally their own property, independent of their husband's wealth, and they could use it as they saw fit. The bull was a sacred symbol in ancient Rome, and during the 2nd to 4th centuries, Romans celebrated the taurobolium, when a bull was sacrificed as an offering to ensure the well-being of the people and the Roman state. The bull was also involved in the religious cult of the Mithraic mysteries, which spread throughout the Roman Empire (there was even a temple to Mithras whose ruins are still visible today in the City of London). Earrings like these may have been worn by a supplicant to one of these religious practices.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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.

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#151629

  • Condition: Slight bending to form, with a few tiny tears in the gold, but overall these are in excellent condition, with light wear commensurate with age and handling. A professional jeweler could make these wearable.

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September 29, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
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