6th-7th century A.D. A pair of openwork gold earrings with decorative motif composed of two peacocks facing a foliate cross, circular suspension loops and pearled lower edge. Cf. Baldini Lippolis, I., L'Oreficeria nell'Impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo (the Jewellery in the Empire of Constantinople between IV and VII century, in Italian), Bari,1999, pp.104ff, for the type, especially no.8 from Athens, Museum Kanellopoulos. 8.57 grams total, 29 mm each (1 1/8 in."). German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman. Half-moon shaped earrings are a type of hoop earring particularly associated with the Eastern Roman empire. This specific pair of earrings belongs to the type of openwork earrings with embossed foil. The presence of a beaded outer edge seems to have a typological origin be characteristic of specimens from Cyprus or Syria. [2]

Very fine condition.