Hellenistic Gold Filigree Earrings with Winged Fruit Offerant
Hellenistic Gold Filigree Earrings with Winged Fruit Offerant 4th-2nd century BC
A matching pair of gold earrings, each comprising a shallow discoid plate with dangles below; discs elaborately decorated with beads to the circumference, concentric bands of filigree ropework, herringbone and swirls, eight beads enclosed by ropework, a central flower formed from central dome and tear-shaped 'petals'; dangle formed as a bifacial statuette of a nude winged figure standing on a cuboid pedestal, possibly Eros, herringbone texture to the front and reverse of the wings, details to the face and buttocks, offering a platter of fruit; tapering round-section hook to reverse. 18.54 grams total, 53-54mm (2"). Very fine condition. [2]
Provenance
Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market in the 2000s; accompanied by a copy of a metal analysis report number F918849, dated 20 December October 2017, and an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.167407/7/10/2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10125-167407.
Literature
See Williams, D. and Ogden, J., Greek Gold: Jewellery of the Classical World, New York, 1995, for very similar pieces and excellent discussion on the techniques used by filigree jewellery craftsmen.
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Hellenistic Gold Filigree Earrings with Winged Fruit Offerant 4th-2nd century BC
A matching pair of gold earrings, each comprising a shallow discoid plate with dangles below; discs elaborately decorated with beads to the circumference, concentric bands of filigree ropework, herringbone and swirls, eight beads enclosed by ropework, a central flower formed from central dome and tear-shaped 'petals'; dangle formed as a bifacial statuette of a nude winged figure standing on a cuboid pedestal, possibly Eros, herringbone texture to the front and reverse of the wings, details to the face and buttocks, offering a platter of fruit; tapering round-section hook to reverse. 18.54 grams total, 53-54mm (2"). Very fine condition. [2]
Provenance
Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market in the 2000s; accompanied by a copy of a metal analysis report number F918849, dated 20 December October 2017, and an independent specialist report and valuation by graduate gemmologist and jewellery expert Anna Rogers, GIA GG, BA, Gem-A, ref. no.167407/7/10/2020; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10125-167407.
Literature
See Williams, D. and Ogden, J., Greek Gold: Jewellery of the Classical World, New York, 1995, for very similar pieces and excellent discussion on the techniques used by filigree jewellery craftsmen.