LOT 0079

Hellenistic Gold Earrings with Lapis and Mother of Pearl

4TH-2ND CENTURY B.C.

2 1/4 - 2 3/8 in. (10.23 grams total, 57-61 mm).

Comprising a shallow disc with central flower motif inlaid with carnelian and lapis lazuli, surrounded by a beaded border, the outer pearled border inlaid with mostly replicant lapis lazuli, and mother of pearl inserts; three pendants to the lower edge, two with chain and carnelian bead, the central pendant formed as a miniature amphora with filigree, repaired; housed in a custom-made display box.

Acquired by Tuyet Nguyet in the 1970s-1980s.
From the jewellery collection of Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter.
Important North West London collection.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11777-204568.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, accession numbers 95.15.203-204, for earrings made with similar elements and in similar style; see also Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the jewellery Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the departments of Antiquities of British Museum, London, 1911, pl.LI, nos.2332-2333; Ogden, J.M., Gold Jewellery in Ptolemaic, Roman and Byzantine Egypt, II Volumes, Durham, 1990; Ogden, J. and Williams, D., Greek Gold Jewelry of The Classical World, New York, 1994; Yavtushenko, I. (eds.), Masterpieces of Platar, 2004, no.83, p.67; Aikaterini D., Greek Art: Ancient Gold Jewellery, Athens, 2006.