A pair of Sasanian gold and garnet beads set as earrings, Sasanian Empire, ca. 4th century CE

This very unusual pair of beads consists of a cube core that has been overlaid with sheet gold and inlaid with round garnet cabochons on four sides. They have been set as earrings using modern 14-karat yellow gold hoops with 32 round .0075-ct. white diamonds (I1 clarity/G, H color; .24CTW/pair). For a related example of the beads, see: Jewelry From Persia: The Collection of Patti Birch, no. 87 (part). Medium: Gold, Garnet Dimensions: Overall drop length: 1 1/4 inch (3.16 cm) Condition: Loss of the garnet inlay to the back of each bead, most probably due to wear. Otherwise, the beads are intact and in very good condition overall, with some expected signs of ancient wear to the gold that do not detract.Provenance: Acquired in Jerusalem in the 1960s, thereafter in a private NY family collection, thence by descent.