Roman 20K+ Gold Twisted Wire Hoop Earrings (pr)

**Originally Listed At $600**

Roman, early Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A beautiful pair of hoop-shaped earrings shaped from 85% gold (equivalent to 20K+ gold). Each earring is formed from a twisting gold wire with a hook curling out from the pinched terminal and a thin clasp loop protruding out from beneath a petite shield boss. Believe it or not, the Romans invented the "hoop earring" which was developed around 300 BCE. Hoop earrings on occasion were ornamented with finials representing animals, Maenads (the intoxicated women also known as Bacchae), slaves, or the Greek god Eros. These earrings represent a coiling snake which was a popular Roman motif symbolic of immortality. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 0.625" W (1.6 cm); quality of gold: 85% (equivalent to 20K+); total weight: 4.1 grams.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Shlomo Moussaieff collection, 1948 - 2000; exported with the permit of the Israeli Antiquities Authority

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#145968
Condition Report: Wearable as shown, though one catch difficult to remove. Each earring has slight bending to overall form and light encrustations. Light earthen deposits and fine patina throughout.