A Pair of Hellenistic Gold and Garnet Earrings, circa 3rd/2nd Century B.C.

Estimate

45,000 - 65,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

A Pair of Hellenistic Gold and Garnet Earrings
Lengths 3 1/8 and 2 15/16 in. 7.9 and 7.5 cm.

each of disk-and-pendant type, the pendant in the form of a garnet amphora with finely granulated gold mounts and voluted handles, the disk inset with a cabochon garnet encircled by granulated and beaded perimeters, and surmounted by the Egyptian sun-disk with ostrich plumes resting on a triangle flanked by green and red glass beads with granulated rosettes, perhaps simulating pomegranates.

Provenance

Louis de Clercq Collection, Paris, late 19th/early 20th Century

Literature

André de Ridder, Collection de Clercq: catalogue méthodique et raisonné, vol. 7: Les bijoux et les pierres gravées, part 1: Les bijoux, Paris, 1911, pp. 109-110, nos. 614-615, pl. 1 (614 illus.)

Catalogue Note

For related examples cf. Higgins, Greek and Roman Jewellery, pl. 48A (pendant) and G (disk), British Museum, Jewellery, pl. LI, nos. 2331 and 2338, Brooklyn Museum, Gold Jewelry, no. 67A-B, and Bastis Collection, no. 184 (sun-disk and feathers).