• Shinar Jewels Roman Mosaic Pearl Earrings in 18ct gold plated stainless steel, featuring decorative pearl and carnelian drops with a large pearl centre, inspired by Roman mosaic art.
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THE GLORY OF ROME

Roman Mosaic Pearl Earrings

Roman Mosaic Pearl Earrings

£72.00 GBP
£72.00 GBP
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Adornment from the painted faces of Roman Egypt.

Created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition, these pearl and carnelian earrings draw inspiration from the richly adorned figures preserved in the painted mummy portraits of Roman Egypt.

DETAILS

HISTORICAL INSPIRATION

The Mosaic Pearl Roman Earrings take inspiration from the jewellery and personal adornment depicted in the painted mummy portraits of Roman Egypt. Created during the period when Egypt formed part of the Roman Empire, these portraits preserve remarkable details of contemporary appearance. Gold earrings, necklaces, pearls and coloured gemstones reveal a sophisticated jewellery culture influenced by traditions stretching across both the Mediterranean and Egypt. Pearls were particularly prized in the Roman world, while richly coloured stones provided striking contrasts against polished gold. Created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition, Shinar brings together luminous pearls, deep red carnelian and an ornate golden medallion in a design inspired by this extraordinary surviving visual record.

MATERIAL

18ct gold plated stainless steel · 4 mm red carnelian beads · 3.5 mm pearls · 6 mm central pearl

PENDANT SIZE

31mm x 19mm - Large Pearl 6mm, Small Pearls 3.5mm, Carnelians 4mm

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

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THE STORY

Jewels of Roman Egypt

Nearly two thousand years ago, the people of Roman Egypt preserved something extraordinarily intimate:

their faces.

Across Egypt, particularly in the Fayum region, painted portraits were created with astonishing attention to individual appearance. Alongside carefully rendered eyes, hair and clothing, artists recorded another important part of personal identity — jewellery.

Gold earrings, necklaces, pearls and coloured stones appear throughout these surviving portraits.

They reveal a world in which jewellery communicated beauty, status and personal taste, while also showing the extraordinary meeting of cultures that characterised Roman Egypt.

The Mosaic Pearl Roman Earrings draw inspiration from that richly adorned world.

A luminous pearl hangs within each textured golden circle, while three lower drops combine glowing red carnelian with smaller pearls. Movement gives the earrings a richness reminiscent of the elaborate jewellery visible in surviving portraits.

Created exclusively for the British Museum's Legion: life in the Roman army exhibition, they were designed as the matching counterpart to the Roman Mosaic Pearl Necklace.

Nearly two millennia later, the colours remain remarkably familiar: gold, pearl and deep red stone.

A meeting of Rome and Egypt, recreated for today.

WEAR THE PAST.
Jewels of Roman Egypt
ARCHIVE NOTE
PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN WITH A GILDED WREATH
Roman Egypt · AD 120–140 · Encaustic on wood with gold leaf
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain
DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

MADE FOR THE AGES

THE SHINAR STANDARD

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DURABLE STAINLESS STEEL

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

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18CT GOLD PLATED

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

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WATERPROOF

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

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SHINAR GUARANTEE

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

ANCIENT INSPIRATION · MODERN MATERIALS · MADE FOR THE AGES