Ancient Roman Gold Openwork Earrings with Garnets and Pearls

A matching pair of Roman gold openwork earrings comprising an openwork disc portraying a rosette; a central garnet bead on a cross-wire; and a bar below carrying three hanging pendants with pearl beads. Open ended hooks in the back allowed the ancient owner to wear the pieces. Garnet was extremely popular in Classical Times. In Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Hades gave pomegranate seeds to his lover Persephone, as a token of safety, while she was leaving the underworld to join her mother Demeter in the human world. The semi-precious stone, recalling the colour and the shape of the pomegranate seed, became a typical gift exchanged between separated lovers. Measurements: 3. 5cm length, 6. 08gr Provenance: London jewellery collection, 1980-95