Antique Victorian Earrings French 18k Gold Diamonds Pearls Enamel Portrait (7041)

Antique Victorian Napoleon III earrings. 18k gold, diamonds, pearls, enamel. Made in France, circa 1870-1900.

Measurements: Weight is 7.2 grams. Length is a little over 1 1/2 inches (4cm).

Description : Gypsey women portraits in enamel with real diamonds inset into the portraits in their head-dress, earrings and necklaces. The adornment of cameo or enamel portraits with real gems is known as 'habille' or dressed. It is very rare to find habille jewelry, especialy in enamel. Surmounts are small gold stars, each set with a pearl in the center. Small loops conect the drops, allowing them to move independently. Drops are elongated ovals with bright cut engraving around the perimeters. A scrolling black enamelled border with another innter border of gold. Within are beautifully hand-painted portraits of Gypsey women. Each wears a red head-dress with a feather above a diamond-set bandeau. Each woman has a pink scarf, a jacket of gold and purple over a blue, low-cut blouse. She wears real diamond earrings. A number of necklaces are painted and some are set with real diamonds. Sultry, beauties, they are shown in 3/4 profiles. Strong, vibrant colors that will never fade as the enamel is burnt onto the gold. These earrings combine various French art forms, including painted enamels on gold and beautiful gem-setting. Quality like this is rarely found. Simple gold wires are easy to insert and comfortable to wear.

Marks and Metal: Wires of earrings each have two French owl marks for 18k gold. Another mark with overlapping symbols appears on the wires and on at least one of the loops connecting the portraits to the surmounts. This might be a maker's mark.

Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age and use. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.