Antique long pendeloque earrings / ear pendants. Gold, a little silver and small diamonds. Exact origin unknown, but worn and bought in France. Late 18th to 19th century.
Measurements:
Weight is 10.8 grams. 2 5/8 inches long (7cm).
Description :
From the 18th century a style of earring known as pendeloque was designed with a round or oval top, a mid-section often in the form of a bow, and an elongated pear-shaped drop. These long elegant earrings of great beauty and artistic merit were made in the Iberian peninsula, Italy and various regions of France. It is often difficult to identify the exact origin of a pair of pendeloque earrings. These earrings come from France, but they may not have originate there since they have the ET mark, which is discussed below.
Each earring has a small surmount in the form of a gold rectangle with a simple modelled pattern of diagonal slashes. These join with the upper section of the earrings. Oval in shape. Composed of open gold wirework, set at intervals with silver stations, each modelled with a raised silver cross. The 'north' and 'south' stations are in the form of gold flowers with star shapes in their centers. These silver stations form a ring around a gold pyramidal form, set with a small rose-cut diamond in the center.
A broad band of gold connects the top and middle sections. The middle sections are round in shape, smaller than that above them, but have the same theme of openwork scrolling gold, silver stations and in their center, a gold flower. The same system joins middle to bottom pear-shaped sections with a larger and even more impressive version of the decoration - beautiful scrolling wirework in gold, gleaming silver stations, golden flowers and a central pyramid with a tiny diamond.
The broad flat loops that connect each section allow total flexibility and freedom of movement so that the earrings swing and sway as the wearer moves.
Backs of the earrings are closed. Some of the larger, flat surfaces are engraved with simple linear stars.
Despite their big appearance, the earrings are not excessively heavy as the gold work is largely thin and flat (see 'photos).
Replaced gold wires are easy to insert and comfortable to wear.
Marks and Metal:
The only marks we found are the ET mark on the tops of the earrings, where they join the wires. See story below.
We tested the gold electronically and got different readings depending on where we tested (typical of very old jewelry). Range of 14-20k.
Condition:
Good with minor wear commensurate with age. We found no signs of damage or repair (except for the replaced wires, mentioned above). Patina proves venerable age. We chose not to overclean the earrings as part of their charm lies in their age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
A similar pair of earrings from Normandy, 19th century, is shown in a set on page 175 of the book: Bijoux des regions de France by Claudette Joannis.
THE STORY:
These earrings were bought in France from a French woman who believed they were from that country. However, we discovered small ET marks on both earrings. According to our research, the ET marks was used from 1863 in Paris (and later elsewhere) to indicate foreign made items. It is from the French word "etranger", which means foreign. The idea was to warn buyers that the gold was not up to French standards. As time went on, the mark continued to be used, but was connected to the idea that an item might have great artistic value, but made of a lower grade of gold. Regardless of the exact metal purity, these are fabulous earrings in very good condition considering their age and use.
