Circa 600-700 AD A stunning pair of gold earrings eachprising an inverted drop-shaped hoop ornamented with an applied wave. The medieval empire of Byzantium was justly famous for the elegance of its jewellery, whether in precious metals for the royalty and aristocracy, or in bronze for people further down the social ladder. These beautiful items may once have belonged to a Byzantine noblewoman. For near similar examples see: nos. 475-481 in Yeroulanou, Diatrita: Gold Pierced-work Jewellry from the 3rd to the 7th Century. Cf. Wamser, L. Die Welt von Byzanz - Europas Östliches Erbe, München, 2004, item 604. The item has undergone X-ray fluorescence analysis to confirm the metallurgical content suggesting its ancient origin and lack of modern trace elements. Size: Set of 2: L:36mm / W:32mm; 8.8g Provenance: Property of a London Ancient Art Gallery; formerly in the famous Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister; acquired between early 1960s to 1990s.