Ancient Roman Gold Earrings, with glass
10
days
11
hours
02
minutes
35
seconds
Current bid
€ 100
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 1,300 - € 1,600
11 other people are watching this object
 | €100 | |
|---|---|---|
| €1 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 135470 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Ancient Roman gold hoop earrings with a blue glass pendant and green glass decoration in a square gold cell, dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, in good condition with a length of about 26–27.5 mm, acquired in 2024 from Belgium via an antique market, authentic original pieces with a certificate available on request.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Matching pair of Roman gold hoop earrings, featuring a loop from which hangs a gold pendant with a blue glass bead. The hoop is decorated with green glass, set in a square gold cell. The ends of the hoop are twisted to hold the earrings closed.
-> Gold earrings of this type were widely worn in the Roman period. The use of coloured stones or glass in combination with gold reflects both aesthetic preference and access to long-distance trade networks. Lapis lazuli was a highly prized material sourced from regions such as Afghanistan, while green stones (emerald or glass imitations) were popular in Roman jewellery. Such earrings would have been worn as markers of status and personal adornment, combining craftsmanship with vibrant colour contrast.
Length: ± 26 - 27,5 mm
Condition: good solid condition, intact. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
The glass and gold are from the Roman period, no modern materials used.
-> The earrings are in wonderful condition and perfect to put on display. For modern wear please consult with a professional jeweller for adding a loop or stud.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Glass has existed in natural forms since prehistoric times; however, humans first began producing glass around 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, when craftsmen discovered how to combine sand, soda and lime.
For centuries, glass remained a luxury material reserved for the upper classes. Across the Mediterranean world, glassmakers developed techniques such as casting, core-forming and mosaic glass, while experimenting with colours using metallic oxides including cobalt and copper.
The Romans adopted glassmaking following the conquest of Egypt in the 1st century BC. During the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing revolutionised production, allowing for larger-scale manufacturing. By adding manganese dioxide, Roman glassmakers were able to produce colourless or ‘aqua’ glass.
Roman glass became highly popular and was widely used for beads, vessels, mosaic tiles and window panes. It was traded throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, reaching regions such as Central Africa, Scandinavia and, via the Silk Road, as far as China.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Matching pair of Roman gold hoop earrings, featuring a loop from which hangs a gold pendant with a blue glass bead. The hoop is decorated with green glass, set in a square gold cell. The ends of the hoop are twisted to hold the earrings closed.
-> Gold earrings of this type were widely worn in the Roman period. The use of coloured stones or glass in combination with gold reflects both aesthetic preference and access to long-distance trade networks. Lapis lazuli was a highly prized material sourced from regions such as Afghanistan, while green stones (emerald or glass imitations) were popular in Roman jewellery. Such earrings would have been worn as markers of status and personal adornment, combining craftsmanship with vibrant colour contrast.
Length: ± 26 - 27,5 mm
Condition: good solid condition, intact. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
The glass and gold are from the Roman period, no modern materials used.
-> The earrings are in wonderful condition and perfect to put on display. For modern wear please consult with a professional jeweller for adding a loop or stud.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> Glass has existed in natural forms since prehistoric times; however, humans first began producing glass around 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia, when craftsmen discovered how to combine sand, soda and lime.
For centuries, glass remained a luxury material reserved for the upper classes. Across the Mediterranean world, glassmakers developed techniques such as casting, core-forming and mosaic glass, while experimenting with colours using metallic oxides including cobalt and copper.
The Romans adopted glassmaking following the conquest of Egypt in the 1st century BC. During the 1st century AD, the invention of glassblowing revolutionised production, allowing for larger-scale manufacturing. By adding manganese dioxide, Roman glassmakers were able to produce colourless or ‘aqua’ glass.
Roman glass became highly popular and was widely used for beads, vessels, mosaic tiles and window panes. It was traded throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, reaching regions such as Central Africa, Scandinavia and, via the Silk Road, as far as China.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 2nd century AD
Name of object
with glass, Earrings
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Material
Gold
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
