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THBPair of Parthian 18K Gold Earrings, Ex-Christie's 8.1 g
Lot 50a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,000 - $5,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 13, 2020
Set Reminder
2020-08-13 10:00:00
2020-08-13 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Ethnographic & Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-5415
Features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (408)
- Lot Description
Persia, Parthian Empire, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. An exquisite pair of 18K gold earrings, each depicting a nude female voluptuous body with an ample belly, her navel and pubic triangle carefully delineated in addition to her curvaceous thighs and petite feet. In addition, her hands are placed upon her hips so as to further accentuate her femininity. Notice that her visage is covered by her elaborate plaited coiffure that extends over the crown of her head and flows to each side of her torso. Her head is also adorned by a pair of granules above and large spiraled earrings. Arched ear wires join the back of her head to the cube-shaped terminal upon which her feet, delineated in relief, rest. A lovely example of the ancient Parthian peoples' luxury arts. Size: 1" H (2.5 cm); 8.1 grams; gold quality: 75%, equivalent to 18 karat
The Parthians amassed their wealth via extensive trade networks, and this made it possible to patronize the arts. In addition to sculpture, ceramics, and coins, jewelry was among the favored luxury arts.
In addition to being created from sumptuous 18K gold, these earrings are particularly intriguing for their iconography. Just how are we to interpret these faceless female forms? Without any written documents, just who these earrings were intended to represent is difficult to say. Furthermore, there is absolutely no emphasis on the individualized features of their faces - we see no eyes, ears, noses, or mouths - only the numerous plaits of hair which serve to camouflage these. Given that the most conspicuous elements of these females' physiques are their pubic regions and by extension wombs, perhaps we are to infer that the artisan of these earrings was aiming to represent the child rearing capacity of womanhood - creating a Parthian "Venus figure" intended to represent women as the great primogenitors of humankind.
See a similar pair, though with delineated faces, in no. 247 E. Quarantelli, et. al., La Terra Tra I Due Fiumi.
Provenance: private Dere collection, New York, New York, USA; ex-Christie's, New York (Ancient Jewelry, Sale 2771, December 13, 2013, Lot 319); ex-private New York, USA collection; ex-Francesca Artuner, Brussels; ex-P.N. Barbier, Belgium, 1981
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.
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#157258High arched ear wires are frozen; however, a reputable jeweler could fit with new settings. Areas of earthen deposits on verso and recessed areas. Slight tarnish to plaits covering visage of one figure.Condition
- Shipping Info
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