Ca. 100-200 AD. A beautiful, matched pair of gold earrings, each comprising a boat-shaped hoop tapering at both ends, with a hook and eye closure, fronted by a drop-shaped setting with a garnet and beaded border. Below the hoops are suspended clusters of large gold spheres, further embellished with smaller garnet settings and filigree. Earrings have been a popular form of jewelry for thousands of years, and the ancient Romans were no exception. Gold was considered a powerful metal in the Roman Empire and was often a symbol of wealth, status, and power. Cf. Christie's, Live Auction 9258, Ancient Jewelry, 8 December 1999, Lot 75.Size: L:45.3mm / W:13.5mm ; 12.16gProvenance: Private London collection; British art market 1990s.