Antique hoop earrings Gold Silver Emeralds big Gypsey dangling earring (7423)

Antique hoop earrings. Gold, emeralds, silver. Made in Naples, Italy, late 19th - early 20th century.

Measurements: Weight is 21.0 grams. Diameter at widest point approximately 1 3/8 inch (3.5cm).

Description : Sturdy gold wires connect to surmounts of gold circles with silver applied flowers and a central green emerald. Small loops connect the very large hoops below. Very full at the bottom, tapering to narrower, elegant upper sections. The bottom halves adorned with applied silver foliage and flowers, set with emerald centers matching the surmount.
Full of movement: the links allow the bottoms to swing freely as the wearer moves; the design moves the eye from the broad swathes of flowers to the swooping tops and then back down again as we follow the infinity of the circles. The gold gleams and drops into shadow as the light catches every change in angle.
Easy to insert and comfortable to wear.

Marks and Metal: the surmount of each earring has a small plaque with Italian hallmarks: Star 3-digit number, 589 for the maker and NA for the province - Naples. Another mark, 500 indicates 12k gold, which was the standard used in Naples at the time.

Condition: Good with minor 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: we can imagine a beautiful young woman (think of a young Sophia Loren) 100 years ago, from Italy wearing these earrings that cannot be missed in any way. In fact, most 'photos of the famous film star show her wearing big earrings, many of them similar to these. They definately make a big and bold statement. The design is as current and trendy today as it was over a century ago.
The south of Italy, in particular Naples and Sicily, were major areas of jewelry production in previous centuries. Some of the most fantastic jewelry of the 18th and 19th centuries was made here, much of it copied throughout the rest of Europe.