Antique - vintage small ear hoop earrings. Gold and cabochon blue sapphires. Made in India. Exact age is unknown - the same earrings were made for centuries. Believed to date to early 1900's. Unisex - worn by men and women.
Measurements:
Weight is 6.3 grams. A little over 1/2 inch (a little over 1cm) across from tip to tip.
Description :
Lunate or crescent moon shaped, tapering towards the tops. The broad, generous cylindrical bottoms are adorned with raised wirework and granulation that runs all the way around / across the hoop and has a ring of colette set cabochon sapphires in its centre. Very good workmanship.
Earrings similar to these originate in different regions of India, some worn by men (and some for women) and some permanently closed by the goldsmith. We suspect therefore that the wires that go through the ears are replacements that make it easy for the modern woman to insert the earrings, easy to snap closed and of course to remove when desired.
Extremely versatile, wearable, comfortable and while small, have a great look.
Marks and Metal:
The earrings were later hallmarked with 750 for 18k gold and 14k585, which we believe is for the wires. Other unknown marks presumably comply with India's new laws to assay all items. It is likely that the hallmarking was done when the ear wires were added.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
Small, generous ear hoops like this are extremely useful and attractive. It's difficult to pin-point the exact location and date of their origin since similar earrings were made in different areas and for many generations. While I was presented with many dramatic and impressive earrings in India, this is the pair I would choose for myself.
