Late Roman Gold Pendant Earrings with Pearls and Garnet

£ 725.00

An exceptional pair of Late Roman gold matching pair of pendant earrings, each featuring a twisted gold hoop with a hook and clasp, and a disc-shaped body. The pendants consist in a large diamond-shaped garnet inset, framed by gold, leading to a string of beads. The beads consist of smooth, globular gold beads, trapezoid blue, veined hard stone beads, and natural pearls.

Date: Circa 3rd-4th Century AD
Provenance: Ex. Private London collection, 1985-2015, formerly with Astarte Gallery, Mayfair, London.
Condition: Fine condition. Suitable for modern wear through the application of a stud or loop. Please consult a professional jeweller for any alterations.

SOLD

SKU: CS-69 Category: Tag:

During The Roman Empire jewellery became quickly a fundamental and essential social display of wealth. Following the spread of the Roman Empire, Roman jewellery became more and more elaborate in the designs and in the materials used. Semi-precious gemstones, such as garnet, together with pearls, were used to enrich and embellish earrings, rings and necklaces. Pearls especially were highly treasured by the Romans, worn as a public display of richness and prestige. Many Roman funerary portraits excavated in Egypt, show women of the high society wearing gold earrings with pearls.

To discover more about the meanings of gemstones and semi-precious gemstones in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: The History and Mythology of Gemstones in Ancient Jewellery.

Weight 5.73 g
Dimensions L 5.4 cm
Culture

Metal

Region

Semi-Precious Stones

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Reference: For a similar item, The British Museum, item AF.324-325.