Byzantine or Roman? Box or Ear Ring? Gold ornament?

[Jon the Lecturer]

Hello everyone,

I'd be very happy if you could help with the below pictures.

That gold ear ring (or whatever it is) was found in a field in Antioch by a villager. I bought it for its scrap gold value. It is 23 karats. It weighs about 6 grams.

You can see that there is a hinge and clip. I am really curios what this thing is. Is is a Byzantine ear ring? Roman? How much something like that would worth? Somebody offered me twice the scrap gold value, I kind of want to sell it (I only collect coins), but I am not sure.

I'd appreciate any help on its origins and value.

Thanks

Jon

[Russ]

Hi Jon,
 
     Just some observations and feelings. The filigree work is beautiful and pretty much characteristic of the area in which it was found. Since it is hinged, it probably contained something such as a piece of sponge or cloth, or some aromatic substance. I think it was/is a vinaigrette. Pieces of sponge or cloth were inserted into them then vinegar or perfume was dripped on the the sponge or cloth and the object was used to ward of everything from cholera to foul odors. If I had to date it, I would say somewhere between 500 and 1200 A.D.
     You indicated that it is 23K gold. Whey does it appear white/silver in color or is the color balance of your photos off? What is the size of it? It certainly is a fascinating piece.
Russ

[Jon the Lecturer]

Hi Russ,

Thank you for your answer. As you said the filigree work is quite beautiful. Do you have any idea on how to decide in a more precise date? You said between 500 AD and 1200 AD. That makes it Roman I assume, or early Byzantine. I tried and looked on line but I couldn't find anything like it.

As for pictures, yes my camera is horrible that is why thy have the 14K gold color, but we used an touchstone and the acid mixture to be able to assay it, and it turned out to be 23K gold.

I am still curious on how much something like that would sell for.

Thank again,

Jon

[SC]

Are you sure it is not a good bit later than that?  It looks a lot like 17th - 19th century Ottoman jewellery. 

I am no expert in that stuff but the style is very similar to what I used to see in the antique shops and museums in Bosnia labelled as that period.

Shawn

[benito]

Agree.