A Pair of Gold and Garnet Earrings Depicting Eros, Hellenistic Period, ca. 2nd - 1st century BCE

Exquisite pair of Hellenistic gold earrings in the form of the winged god Eros, each finely modeled in the nude with his wings raised behind him and his hands resting confidently on his hips. Across the chest is a delicate bandolier enriched with applied granulation, demonstrating the exceptional technical skill of Hellenistic goldsmiths. Above each figure is a pear-shaped bezel set with a polished cabochon garnet, suspended beneath a tapering ear wire formed from plain gold wire wrapped in a spiral. The attachment loop is ingeniously concealed behind the figure's feet, allowing Eros to appear suspended below the gemstone.

Representations of Eros became especially popular during the Hellenistic period, when artists increasingly favored expressive and naturalistic subjects. No longer portrayed solely as the mischievous companion of Aphrodite, Eros came to embody love, beauty, fertility, and the enduring power of human emotion. Jewelry depicting the youthful god was prized not only for its artistic refinement but also as a symbolic expression of affection, prosperity, and divine protection. The combination of sculptural goldwork, delicate granulation, and richly colored garnets exemplifies the sophisticated craftsmanship that characterized luxury jewelry produced throughout the eastern Mediterranean during the late Hellenistic period.

Condition:  Intact and in excellent condition overall.  A superb example. 

Dimensions: Overall drop length: 1 inch (2.5cm)

Provenance: ex. Sir Sidney Nolan Collection (1917-1992), sold Christie's London, 1993;  thereafter G. Hendershott collection, AZ. 

Sir Sidney Nolan is widely regarded as one of Australia's greatest twentieth-century artists. Best known for his celebrated Ned Kelly series, Nolan achieved international recognition for his innovative paintings and was appointed to the Order of Merit, one of the United Kingdom's highest personal honors. Beyond his own artistic achievements, he assembled an exceptional collection of antiquities and ethnographic art, reflecting a lifelong fascination with the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Objects from his collection are especially desirable, both for their distinguished ownership history and because Nolan acquired works with a discerning eye for artistic quality rather than merely historical interest. His collection was dispersed at Christie's, London, following his death, with many pieces entering important private collections.