Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A gorgeous pair of gold wire earrings with agate beads and dangling silver and gold alloy pomegranates! The earrings are comprised of thick 77.6% gold (equivalent to 18K+) wires that are shaped into large hoops that taper to a terminal tip for securing through a loop clasp. The terminal wire is permanently twisted around the clasp. Spanning the center of the hoop is a gold wire finding with spherical gold beads and banded agate stones. Dangling from the bottom are dainty twisted gold findings that suspend 67% gold (16K+) pomegranate shaped beads and a drop shaped agate bead. These stunning earrings are both wearable with modern 14k gold-plated and sterling silver ear wires. This is a striking pair that are eye catching and replete with symbolism via the pomegranate beads! Size: 2.75" L x 0.8" W (7 cm x 2 cm); quality of gold 67% to 77.7% (16K+ to 18K+); quality of silver: 15% to 28%; total weight of both: 8.6 grams
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired 1990s
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
#165701
Condition
Bending to wires forming the hoops of both. Chips and nicks to gold beads across the center of both earrings. Pomegranates have bending and indentations to their shapes with minor perforations and fissures. Dark patina and mineral deposits on pomegranates. Agate beads have minor nicks. Matched pair and wearable with modern gold-plated ear wires.