The Venus Earrings
The Venus Earrings celebrate the timeless grace and elegance of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Revered for her beauty and ability to inspire love amongst humans, Venus has been a central figure in art and mythology since antiquity. Her iconic imagery, including her birth from sea foam upon a scallop shell, has inspired artists to create masterpieces, such as Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (c. 1485).
This pair of earrings features two silver coins minted in 82 BCE under L. Censorinus. The obverse of each silver denarius (17 mm in diameter) displays the diademed and veiled head of Venus, her profile framed by the inscription L.CENSORIN. The reverse depicts Venus in a biga—a two-horse chariot—moving to the right, reins in both hands and a goad in her right, with the inscriptions XXXXII above and C. IMETA and, in the exergue, P. CRESVSI below. One coin, darkly toned and very fine, highlights the reverse depiction of Venus in her chariot, while the other, a choice example in EF condition, beautifully captures Venus’s profile.
Inspired by the scallop shell that carried Venus in her mythical birth, we designed an 18k yellow gold setting, its stylised form echoing the flowing curves of the shell. The satin texture of the gold alternates with 124 shimmering grey diamonds, adding depth and brilliance to the design. A high-polished bezel encases each coin, preserving its historical essence while elevating it as a timeless work of art.
Their harmonious balance between ancient artefacts, meaningful design, and masterful craftsmanship makes the Venus Earrings unique and timeless creations that will be cherished for years to come.
