Antique Georgian earrings ear pendants. Silver, gold, diamonds. Made in France, circa 1780.
Independent appraisal available to new owner.
Measurements:
Weight is 9.5grams. A little over 1 1/2 inches (4cm) long.
Description :
Long, dangling earrings. Surmounts are 4 rosecut diamonds, placed in an open kite-shape, leading from the lobe to a series of loops that connect to the main body of the earrings. These allow the earrings to swing and sway as the wearer moves. The main body of the earrings is a pear or tear-drop shape formed by a similar openworkd ring of diamonds, connected only at their tips to one another. In the center is a flower-formed drop - a pair of diverting leaves surrounding a central round, large rosecut diamond. These also move independently of the rest of the earrings. The eye-catching movement of each part of the earrings adds to interest and subtle sophistication.
Silver mounts for diamonds, which is typical of Georgian and Victorian jewelry as it was seen to show off diamonds to better effect in gas or candle light. The silver is pinched colettes - an indication of the age when the earrings were made. As is also typical of jewelry from this period, the backs are in gold to protect the wearer's skin and clothes from tarnish caused by silver. The central, largest rosecuts are not backed in gold and give the appearance of total transparency. Such clear diamonds are very old, possibly from the Golconda mines in India.
Hinged gold wires are possibly Victorian replacements. They go from the back of the lobe to the front, where they catch in a small loop clasp - which dates the wires to no later than the Victorian period.
Marks and Metal:
French hallmarks on wires of earrings. We electronically tested wires as 18k and backs of earrings as 14k, which is born out by the independenpt appraisal.
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:
Dazzling, glittering earrings with a great deal of movement of each part independently of the others. Despite the clarity of the central diamonds, the glitter and gleam is totally eye-catching and shows the clever way these earrings were made. Great quality has preserved these earrings for well over 200 years and we should pause to give a thought to every woman who owned them before us and hopefully, every woman who will own them some day in the future. Made to last; made to dazzle.
While we have seen other earrings of this type and age from France, they are rarely as bright and glittering as this pair of earrings.
The original owner was probably a very wealthy woman of standing. She would have been gifted these earrings on an important occasion such as an engagement or wedding, birth of a child or anniversary. Passed down through countless generations of women who took good care of these earrings as they are as eminently wearable today as they were about 250 years ago.
Glitz up your jeans or glitz up to a wedding party.
