Roman Gold Earring with Cupid - 2.1 g
**Originally Listed At $750**
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gold earring in the form of a winged cupid (erote). The gold is 87% pure, equivalent to 21K. In the Roman period, Cupid had become a child (in earlier Greek times, he was often a muscular youth), but he retained his mischievous air, ready to help couples fall in love through not-entirely-innocent interventions. Gold is a rare find from the Roman Empire. As the Empire expanded, they gained access to mineral sources that allowed them to make rich gold items. Iberia was the major source of gold for the Romans, and there is widescale evidence for Roman mining of the region. Gold was also mined in Gaul and Britain, and, in some rare instances, imported from as far afield as India. However, the amount of gold available to the Romans was relatively small, and gold items are indicative of great wealth. Size: 1" H (2.5 cm); gold is 87% pure, equivalent to 21K; total weight is 2.1 g
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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.
#143018
Condition Report: Slight bending to form, notably the lower legs and one wing. Overall beautiful preservation of details. While not wearable in current state, a jeweler may be able to set them with a modern fitting.
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**Originally Listed At $750**
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A gold earring in the form of a winged cupid (erote). The gold is 87% pure, equivalent to 21K. In the Roman period, Cupid had become a child (in earlier Greek times, he was often a muscular youth), but he retained his mischievous air, ready to help couples fall in love through not-entirely-innocent interventions. Gold is a rare find from the Roman Empire. As the Empire expanded, they gained access to mineral sources that allowed them to make rich gold items. Iberia was the major source of gold for the Romans, and there is widescale evidence for Roman mining of the region. Gold was also mined in Gaul and Britain, and, in some rare instances, imported from as far afield as India. However, the amount of gold available to the Romans was relatively small, and gold items are indicative of great wealth. Size: 1" H (2.5 cm); gold is 87% pure, equivalent to 21K; total weight is 2.1 g
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
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.
#143018
Condition Report: Slight bending to form, notably the lower legs and one wing. Overall beautiful preservation of details. While not wearable in current state, a jeweler may be able to set them with a modern fitting.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
