• Shinar Jewels Julia Domna earrings in 18ct gold plated stainless steel, featuring a Roman-inspired portrait pendant celebrating ancient imperial portraiture.
1 1

THE GLORY OF ROME

Julia Domna Earrings

Julia Domna Earrings

£48.00 GBP
£48.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

An imperial portrait carried through eighteen centuries.

Inspired by the coin portraits of the Roman empress Julia Domna, these golden earrings were created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition.

DETAILS

HISTORICAL INSPIRATION

The Julia Domna Earrings are inspired by coin portraits of Julia Domna, one of the most prominent women of the Roman imperial court during the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD. Her portrait appeared across Roman imperial coinage and is particularly recognisable for its carefully arranged hairstyle, with waves of hair framing the face before being gathered behind the head. Coins allowed imperial portraits to travel across enormous distances, carrying the faces and names of the ruling family throughout the Roman world. Created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition, Shinar translates Julia Domna's ancient numismatic portrait into a pair of textured golden medallions designed to be worn today.

MATERIAL

18ct gold plated stainless steel

PENDANT SIZE

16mm

CARE

To keep your jewellery looking its best, gently wipe with a soft cloth after wear and store separately when not in use.

Avoid abrasive cleaners, polishing compounds and anything that may scratch or unnecessarily wear the plated surface.

DELIVERY & RETURNS

Your Shinar jewellery will arrive carefully packaged and ready to give — or to keep.

UK and international delivery options, costs and estimated delivery times are shown at checkout.

Eligible unworn jewellery may be returned in accordance with our Returns Policy.

OUR GUARANTEE

View full details
THE STORY

The Empress on the Coin

At the end of the second century AD, a new imperial dynasty emerged at the head of the Roman Empire.

At its centre was Julia Domna.

Born in Syria and married to the emperor Septimius Severus, Julia became one of the most prominent women of the Severan dynasty. Her portrait appeared extensively on Roman coinage, allowing her image to circulate throughout an empire stretching across Europe, North Africa and the Near East.

Her distinctive hairstyle made that portrait immediately recognisable.

Carefully arranged waves frame the face before being drawn back into an elaborate mass of hair — a visual signature repeated across coins struck during her lifetime.

More than eighteen centuries later, these small pieces of metal still preserve her likeness.

Created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition, the Julia Domna Earrings take inspiration from these surviving imperial portraits.

Each golden medallion preserves the irregular character of ancient coinage while bringing Julia Domna's profile into a piece of jewellery designed to be worn today.

Designed to accompany the Julia Domna Necklace, the earrings transform an imperial portrait once carried across the Roman Empire into contemporary wearable history.

An imperial portrait carried through eighteen centuries.

WEAR THE PAST.
The Empress on the Coin
ARCHIVE NOTE
GOLD AUREUS WITH JULIA DOMNA
Roman Empire · AD 193–196 · Gold
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain
DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

MADE FOR THE AGES

THE SHINAR STANDARD

◇

DURABLE STAINLESS STEEL

Made from hard-wearing stainless steel, chosen for strength and durability.

◯

18CT GOLD PLATED

Finished in our rich 18ct gold for the warmth and character of fine gold jewellery.

≈

WATERPROOF

Designed to go wherever you do — waterproof for everyday wear, from the shower to the pool and sea.

∞

SHINAR GUARANTEE

Designed for lasting wear and supported by the Shinar Jewels guarantee.

ANCIENT INSPIRATION · MODERN MATERIALS · MADE FOR THE AGES