Roman Gold Earring Shield w/ Hanging Grape Cluster

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 3rd century CE. A gorgeous gold earring comprised of an annular shield and pyramidal clusters of granules - known as grape clusters - cascading from a coiled gold wire at the bottom, all fit with a modern screw-back clip-on clasp for easy wear. Grapes were an essential part of Roman culture. The ancient Romans were the first civilization to cultivate grape vines. Grapes and wine of course were associated with Bacchus (identified in ancient Greece as Dionysos or Dionysus) - the Olympian god of wine, pleasure, ritual madness, ecstasy, and theatre who was sometimes depicted as a bearded adult but alternatively depicted as a youth, with a smooth face. The cult of Bacchus was hugely popular, signifying the freedom created by wine, music, and ecstatic dance. Romans knew the power of partying! Perhaps these were worn to their festivities. Size: 1.6" L x 0.5" W (4.1 cm x 1.3 cm); weight: 3.8 grams

Cf. Smith College Museum of Art, SC 1956.26a.

Provenance: private Lake Worth, Florida, USA collection, acquired via descent in April 1997; ex-private American collection in Cyprus, acquired between 1957 to 1969, brought to USA in 1969

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#184394
Condition Report: Earring is ancient fit with modern screw-back clip-on clasp for easy wear. Some light bending and indentations to gold, but form is still clear. Otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with nice detail and patina to surface.