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Details
LOT 0655
Late Roman Gold and Garnet Earring
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 1/4 in. (7.4 grams, 33 mm).
Comprising a single earring with thick hook closure, folding towards the bottom and ending in a small hoop; teardrop-shaped plaque with ten bezels having cabochon insert garnets; a central garnet cabochon surrounded by smaller garnet cabochons in different hues of red, framed by gold granules, each stone set in a gold cell with filigree collar; the back decorated by fine filigree.
Provenance
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.
Literature
Cf. Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911, pl.LXVI, no.2866, for similar style of manufacture.
Footnotes
The use of Roman style jewellery continued in the east also after the fall of the west, especially in the old jewellery production centres like Alexandria and Antioch, giving way to an increased production in Constantinople. In the Eastern Empire, jewellery played an important role, expressing rank status and being also used as a diplomatic tool.
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