Antique Earrings Ear Pendants gold pearls emeralds rubies Sicily bridal (7283)

Antique Victorian earrings ear pendants. Gold, pearls, rubies and emeralds. Made in Sicily, Italy, 19th century. Perfect for a bride.

Measurements: Weight is 15.1 grams. 2 1/2 inches (6.5cm) long, excluding the wires.

Description : Large earrings, delicately made with fine detail. The surmounts are diamond-shaped with a raised circle culminating in an emerald in their centers. This is surrounded by concentric rings of tiny pearls, scrolling gold work and then another outer border of pearls within gold mounts. The scrolling openwork at the bottom leads to a number of loops that connect to the very large drops, allowing the drops to swing and sway as the wearer moves. Drops in the shape of pears with a similar arrangement of raised centers, set with a ruby, surrounded by tiny pearls, gold scrolling openwork and then concentric borders of pearls and gold.
Flat backs show beautiful quality of the gold workmanship.
Gold wires are almost certainly replacements, typical of earrings from this period.
Impressively large earrings with tiny pearl patterned surfaces was typical of southern Italy, notably Sicily during the 18th and 19th centuries. This Sicilian jewelry is still highly wearable today and especially suitable for a bride. This is a particularly well made pair of earrings.

Marks and Metal: Gold was tested with acid and electronically as 14k.

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.