Simple in design yet very attractive, the shape of these earrings narrows at the clasp then widens gradually on both sides towards the center. The thickness varies slightly  More »

Simple in design yet very attractive, the shape of these earrings narrows at the clasp then widens gradually on both sides towards the center. The thickness varies slightly in each, and the clasps are reversed. Ornamentation in Roman times, particularly during .the imperial period, could be quite lavish for both men and women living in the provinces, as well as in Rome. However, unlike today, gold and silver jewelry was fairly restricted to the wealthy classes, and the lady who owned these lovely earrings was most likely from a prominent home. Fine jewelry was often passed from mother to daughter as wedding gifts or inheritance. It is easy to imagine that the person(s) who wore this pair must have done so with pride. - (FJ.6510)   « Less

Roman fibulae, or clasps, such as this beautiful example, were not only functional in their ability to support a garment, but also served as creative works of art. This  More »

Roman fibulae, or clasps, such as this beautiful example, were not only functional in their ability to support a garment, but also served as creative works of art. This stunning silver fibula, designed by a master silversmith, echoes earlier Greek and Italian fibulae, with its exceptionally high curve of the bow and coiled spring mechanism. At the same time, the handsome pattern of the bow hints at an eastern artistic influence, quite popular and fashionable during this time period. We have only to hold in our hand this ancient fibula and our imagination drifts back in time, giving us a tangible sense of that exciting and fascinating time in the Roman Empire when eastern craftsmanship and creativity joined with western aesthetics to produce decorative and functional works of art, timeless in their ability to please. - (FZ.287)   « Less

The appeal of this golden bracelet transcends time. Though it was created and worn during the height of the classical age, it would seem completely at home on a modern wrist.  More »

The appeal of this golden bracelet transcends time. Though it was created and worn during the height of the classical age, it would seem completely at home on a modern wrist. Its design is simple yet elegant; its mellow gold is timeless. Such a bracelet reminds us that the love of ornament is as old as civilization itself. To touch this radiant jewel today is to establish a bond with the unbroken chain of human history. - (SJ.0172)   « Less

Elegant in their simplicity, these ancient earrings once adorned the ears of a woman who lived when Rome ruled the world. Who was she? Maybe a Priestess at the temple of  More »

Elegant in their simplicity, these ancient earrings once adorned the ears of a woman who lived when Rome ruled the world. Who was she? Maybe a Priestess at the temple of Venus? A dancer who performed at the governor's palace? The pampered daughter of a noble house? Our imaginations must fill in what time has forgotten; the only thing we know for certain is what jewel she wore. Yet to hold them in our hands as that roman woman once did is to establish a bond with her across the ages. - (SJ.0183)   « Less

A Roman gold pendant with a representation of a mask. - (SJ.0188)

A Roman gold pendant with a representation of a mask. - (SJ.0188)   « Less

These simple loops of twisted gold once adorned a beauty of the classical age. We can imagine them subtly reflecting the light as she went about the tasks of daily life,  More »

These simple loops of twisted gold once adorned a beauty of the classical age. We can imagine them subtly reflecting the light as she went about the tasks of daily life, drawing attention to her charms. Just as when the ancient world was at its height, any woman today might wear these jewels in full confidence of their elegance. Mighty empires have come and gone since then, but these golden talismans remain eternally lovely as the moon. - (SJ.0189)   « Less

The ancient goldsmith has blended the mellow richness of the metal with the lush glow of garnet to create jewels of subtle drama. Since earliest antiquity, the colors of gold  More »

The ancient goldsmith has blended the mellow richness of the metal with the lush glow of garnet to create jewels of subtle drama. Since earliest antiquity, the colors of gold and purple have been associated with royalty: the woman who wore these earrings so long ago must surely have felt like a princess, if she was not one in fact. We can imagine them ornamenting the ears of some dark-haired classical beauty, catching the light as she laughed, and drawing attention to her charms. Like so much of the ancient world, she has vanished into time, but her memory lingers on in the presence of these treasured jewels. - (SJ.0192)   « Less

With a simple beauty as timeless as the moon, these lovely jewels might once have adorned the ears of a princess or a gypsy. Their boldly elegant design, crafted in mellow  More »

With a simple beauty as timeless as the moon, these lovely jewels might once have adorned the ears of a princess or a gypsy. Their boldly elegant design, crafted in mellow gold, transcends the ages. All we know for certain about the woman who wore them during the peak of the classical era is that she had unerring good taste. Everything else about her-- her name, her age, what she loved and why--is left to conjecture. Yet from these small golden clues, our imaginations can reach across the centuries and touch that vanished life directly. - (SJ.0193)   « Less

Centuries ago, when Rome was at her glorious height, these elegant jewels adorned the ears of an unknown woman. She must have treasured them greatly, for she chose to be  More »

Centuries ago, when Rome was at her glorious height, these elegant jewels adorned the ears of an unknown woman. She must have treasured them greatly, for she chose to be buried with them. With the passage of time, all other traces of her existence have vanished, except for these earrings of untarnished gold. Beautiful though they are, they seem too slender a clue to evoke the course of an entire human life. Yet when we gaze upon them today, we cannot help but wonder whom that woman was, what mattered to her, and what her life was like. Her distant memory comes to life, and her beauty is reborn. - (SJ.0194)   « Less

The elegant design of these golden earrings--crescent-shaped like a quarter moon--was already centuries old when Rome ruled the world. Variations on this pattern have been  More »

The elegant design of these golden earrings--crescent-shaped like a quarter moon--was already centuries old when Rome ruled the world. Variations on this pattern have been found in the royal tombs at Ur, at Egyptian sites, and in classical Greece. Throughout the ages, beautiful women have understood that nothing draws attention to their natural charms like simplicity in adornment. The pleasure such jewels bring is timeless. As long as there are women confident in themselves, then such golden ornaments will always be in fashion. - (SJ.0195)   « Less