Antique early Victorian Louis Philippe demi parure jewelry set consisting of very long ear pendants / earrings and brooch in original fitted box. 18k gold, silver, enamel, rose-cut diamonds. Made in France, circa 1838-1840's.
Indpendent appraisal.
Measurements:
Total weight is 18.4 grams. Brooch measures 1 3/4inches (4.5cm) not including the pin, which extends further.
Earrings measure approximately 2 1/2 inches (6.5cm), not including the wires.
Description :
Almost 200 years old. Exceptional demi parure or jewelry set. Consisting of brooch and extremely long and elegant earrings. Tops connected to bottoms by simple loops are easily seperated or joined to wear together.
Known as Top Drop or Day Night these earrings could be worn more simply by day with the tops alone, or in their full length with the drops, by night.
From about 1830, in England and France, jewelry, notably earrings, became very long and light. Thin layers of repousse gold, with chased adornment show the baroque and rococo influence with their scrolling details. This unbacked gold was very light, making the earrings comfortable to wear despite their large size.
Within the gold borders are large centers of dark blue/black enamel very finely set with scrolling flowers and foliage composed of diamonds set in silver. Silver was used to set diamonds in order to show them off to best effect in candlelight. Flowers include pansies - in French, symbolic of sentiment and romance (think of me).
Beautiful contrast between the golden yellow and the deep blue/black, set with gleaming and glinting diamonds.
Amazingly, the dark enamel appears to be in perfect condition.
Original ear wires go from back to front of ear lobes.
Brooch designed and made to match with the same chased, repousse gold work, enamel and very fine diamond design. Hinged pin with a simple c-clasp, typical of Georgian jewelry.
Exceptional to find a set like this in its absolute original condition: ear wires back to front of lobes and still in original, fitted box.
Consider the generations of woman who wore and took care of these earrings for almost 200 years.
Marks and Metal:
Every section of the set is hallmarked with the French eagle head denoting 18k gold, made in Paris. Surmount of earrings marked on wires; drops marked on their sides; brooch marked on its side and on pin. The eagle head was used from 1838.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. These earrings were either very seldom worn, or very well taken care of by generations of women who owned them, over the last 150 years. The enamel has no signs of wear/damage, which is very rare. We found no dings/dents in the gold. The box has minor signs of wear. 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.
