Antique vintage earrings gold emeralds pearls Long dangle ear pendants (7245)

Antique / vintage earrings ear pendants. 14k gold, emeralds and pearls. Made in India, Kolkata (Calcutta) area. Exact age is impossible to determine, but believed to be circa mid 20th century. Independent appraisal.

Measurements: Weight is 14.5 grams. Length, not including wires is 1 3/4 inches (4.5cm). 3.10ct emeralds. 40 pearls.  

Description : Elegant dangle earrings. Bezel and colette set emeralds of a lovely bright green combined with round, white pearls, all offset in bright yellow gold. Clear strong Indian influence in the design, which reminds one of turbans, aigrettes, curls and swirls with flaring kite-shapes near the bottom. The love of emeralds and pearls goes back to the Mughal era and is as popular today as it ever was in India. Workmanship is a hybrid of Indian and Western styles. Calcutta (Kolkata) was the capital of the British Raj and jewelry made in that area often reflected and appealed to English taste. In fact, much Victorian jewelry was actually made in India.


The surmounts are a true pair - mirror images of one another.
These upper sections of the earrings are assymmetrical with an arching line of emeralds, a short line of pearls and another single pearl in a raised leaf-like mount. Each little sub-section of jewels in a different form, direction and height, making for subtle interest to the design. The group appears to be an aigrette or turban ornament, which often swayed above the center of the forehead in a turban. In this case, there is a resemblance both to the aigrette and a leafy twig. 

This section is joined by a broad, strong loop to the center, allowing flexibility for the center to move somewhat independently of the surmount.

The center of the earrings is an adorned oval. A ring of gold-mounted pearls with emeralds running up part of their outer sides. A raised upper adornment with concave sides, containing pearls. A larger rectangular emerald in the center, set in gold, leads to the kite-shaped bottom. It has long, flaring, gradated sides of bezel set emeralds with a line of gradated pearls in the middle.

Long gold wires are easy to insert and comfortable to wear. Setting these earrings at a level above most made at the time, are flexible triangular gold catches, which will clasp the wires and add an optional additional level of security. The high level of craftsmanship and technical superiority of these earrings is seen in both the front settings and the backs.

The design of these earrings is more complex and subtle than the eye initially realises. The combination of colors, is bold, attractive and more simply stunning. A strong, elegant and sophisticated statement, Indian to its core, yet universal in wearability.

Marks and Metal: No marks. Gold was acid tested 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.
Independent appraisal available to new owner (value $9500.00)