A PAIR OF BYZANTINE GOLD, PEARL, GARNET AND EMERALD EARRINGS

CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A PAIR OF BYZANTINE GOLD, PEARL, GARNET AND EMERALD EARRINGS
CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
Each composed of a plain hollow hoop, tapering at each end to plain wire forming a hook-and-loop closure, the loop extending, threaded through a pearl and coiled back around the hoop, suspending a drop composed of wire spiraled along the length, threaded through a beaded spacer and a globular emerald bead, a large granule above the spiral, also suspending both ends of a length of double loop-in-loop chain with ribbed collars, supporting a small pendant cross, centered by a collar-set cabochon garnet
Each: 3 13/16 in. (9.7 cm.) long

Provenance

Private Collection, England, mid 1970s.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Earrings with pendant chains were fashionable in Byzantium but have survived in limited numbers. There is one earring in Baltimore and a pair in the Farrell Collection, each with pendant crosses, pearls and semi-precious stones (see no. 172 in Spier, Treasures of the Ferrell Collection).

More from Ancient Jewelry

View All