The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, for it provided a public display of their wealth. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, so too did jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate. Different cultural styles from Greece, Egypt, North Africa, and the Orient were all incorporated to reflect Rome’s prosperity as a dominant, conquering city. The wide range of natural resources enabled artisans to create ostentatious jewellery using a diverse selection of materials. Archaeological finds of Roman jewellery are relatively rare, considering the magnitude of Roman civilisation, and the historical and geographical span of the Empire. Loop earrings, such as this fine example, were among the most popular styles of earrings worn by Roman women. Such earrings would have been worn by straightening the pointed, tapering gold wire through the pierced ear, threading the wire through the coil, and then closing it in a loop, as seen on this fine example.
Roman Gold Hoop Earrings
$1,183.37
An elegant pair of gold Roman earrings featuring a central domed gold sheet shield framed with filigree wire in a concentric circular pattern. The hoop is formed from a strand of gold with the terminal enclosed through a loop. The hoop is further enriched with a delicate coil underneath the dome and three equally spaced ribbed patterns created from multiple incisions.
Condition: Very fine condition.
SOLD
| Weight | 6.6 g |
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| Dimensions | L 2.2 x W 1 cm |
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