Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 4th century CE. A striking pair of matching earrings of a design sometimes referred to as a shield earring. Each earring includes two distinct elements that are separated by a horizontal ring. The upper section consists of a hoop comprised of twisted gold wire with an emerald or green paste glass cabochon set in a Crown of Isis bezel with a granulated border. The lower section of each earring features a four large gold spheres that were skillfully hammered from gold sheet and adorned with granules - pyramidal clusters of granules at the center of each sphere and vertical strands falling from the upper three spheres down along the lower sphere. Size: 1.5" L (3.9 cm)
The inverted pyramidal lower sections symbolize grape clusters. 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 who was sometimes depicted as a bearded adult but alternatively depicted as a youth, with a smooth face. The cult of Bacchus was hugely popular, signifying the freedom created by wine, music, and ecstatic dance. Romans knew the power of partying! Perhaps these were worn to their festivities.
This piece is accompanied by an Art Loss Register Certificate.
Provenance: private New York, USA collection; ex European private collection, acquired in 1998; accompanied by Art Loss Register Certificate.
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#155922
Condition
This pair of earrings is virtually intact. Normal minute indentations and slight wear commensurate with age. Warm patina graces the gold surfaces.