A pair of Roman Gold Grape Earrings, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd Century CE 46400306_xl Automatic handle

Automatic handle

(1926 - 2015)

DC collection acquired in the 1960's and then by descent

Julian became Caesar over the western provinces by order of Constantius II in 355

A pair of Roman Gold Grape Earrings, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd Century CE 46400306_xl Automatic handleThis pretty pair of gold hoop earrings feature a granulated gold ball decoration at the base in the shape of grape clusters. Artisans throughout the Mediterranean used the iconography of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, on many things, including jewelry. This Dionysian influence is evident in the grape cluster motif here, which dates back to the third millennium BCE, and demonstrates how important the god of wine was to Mediterranean culture.