Antique early Art Deco earrings. 18k white gold, diamonds and green gem (see below). Italy circa 1920's.
Suitable for pierced or non-pierced ears.
Measurements:
Weight is 5.6 grams. A little under 1.5 inches (3.5cm) long.
Description :
The ultimate Art Deco earrings. Strong architectural design, geometric forms, vibrant color and full of movement.
A horizontal white gold rectangle at the top attached to a vertical line of early cut round diamonds set in box-shaped colettes with filigree edges. The bottom 'box' connects to a knife-edge, thin line of gold, deeper than it is wide for additional, subtle security. A 4th 'box' containing a diamond follows and this in turn is attached to a very classic Art Deco architectural form of stepped rectangles - echoing the skyskrapers that were being built in Manhattan, New York City, at the time.
At the base of the architectural element is a square composed of a fabulous deep green gem. It encloses a white border surrounding a final, larger diamond. On the sides of the gren stone, reaching about 3/4 of the way up, is a narrow silver line of white gold that extends to the edges of the bottom of the green. In the center is a series of 6 co-joined rings in white gold.
The entire design is composed of lines, rectangles, circles and rings. Play of light as it is reflected from the metal and diamonds and extra detail in the fabulously colored green gem.
Very well made - workmanship of the highest quality.
The backs with looping wires connected to screwbacks with open floral screws, almost certainly original to the earrings. It is easy to replace them with posts if so desired by the new owner.
The green stone: because of the size and setting, the green stone cannot be positively identified. Our gemologist believes it could be either chrysoprase, or possibly green onyx, however we cannot make a definitive claim for either or any other stone for that matter. Our gem-testing machine is also not clear on the gem with the needle stopping at chrysoprase in some spots and moving on to jade and spinel (which it is not) in others.
Marks and Metal:
Side of upper knife-edge marked 750, indicating 18k gold.
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:
Good jewelry is a reflection of the world it was made in. During the 1920's, there was a leap in architectural design, beginning with the skyskrapers of Manhattan. There was also a movement away from the flowing, curving lines of the Art Nouveau and the gentle pave diamonds used in the Belle Epoque. Geometric shapes and strong, vibrant colors replaced them. Jewelry reflected the flapper age with a strong sense of movement and when everything was considered permissable.
These earrings are the epitomy of all of the above Art Deco features. They are entirely original and the quality of the workmanship is excellent. The earrings have the additional advantage that they can be worn by anyone, with or without pierced ears.
