Byzantine Gold and Garnet Earring Pair

4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (12.8 grams total, 32 mm).

Each formed as a dove with garnet set wings and eyes (one eye absent), beaded border framing the raised settings; triangular tail with garnet insert; body with incised feather detailing; four loops to the underside with pearl drops (one absent) and a double loop on the back. [2]

Provenance

Art market before 2000.
Private collection, London, UK.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12104214176.

Literature

Cf. for the same style of earrings, Adams, D.N., Late Antique Migration Period and Early Byzantine Garnet Cloisonné Ornaments, Origins, Styles and Workshop Production, vol.I, text and catalogue, London, 1991, comparative plate 13, earrings from Piazza della Consolazione, Rome.

Footnotes

There are good points of comparison between the earring from the Piazza della Consolazione treasure in Rome and the Cluj (Pietroasa) with our earring to suggest that these should all be dated from the second quarter to the second half of the 5th century A.D. The earring set of Piazza della Consolazione treasure is decorated with radiating pearls on wires, in the fashion of the Cluj medallion and our earring.

CONDITION

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LOT 0223