Antique Georgian - Victorian girandole earrings / ear pendants. 14k gold and aquamarine. Made circa 1830 - 1840 in England. For more specifics on gems and dates, please see below.
Accompanied by an independent gemological appraisal.
Measurements:
Weight is 7.3 grams. Fully assembled, each earring measures approximately 2-1/2 x 7/8 inches.
Description :
Day/Night, or “Top Drop,” girandole earrings with scrolling repoussé Rococo curlicues. The ornate style is enhanced by the rich contrast of the gold and the pale blue gems set in each section: oval and pear-shaped aquamarines shining against the gleam of gold. As was the custom during the Georgian and Victorian eras, the wires for pierced ears were inserted from the back of the earlobe to the front.
Earrings are long and light - a huge look without weighing down the ears. See The story below.
An additional and rare feature is that almost every section of the earrings can be removed making the earrings more or less complex. Shepherd hook wires allow the two sides to be detached, the 3 central sections to be worn alone as long, pendeloque style earrings and finally, the upper section detaches for a simpler daytime look. This is known as "Top Drop" or "Day and Night earrings.
Here are the options:
FOUR EARRINGS IN ONE:
What makes these earrings truly special is how much they can convert. Each section is joined by small hooks and loops, so they can be taken apart and reassembled to suit the occasion:
For day: the top section alone, a pretty scrolled oval of aquamarine set close to the ear. Discreet enough for everyday wear.
A little longer: add the bow-shaped middle section beneath, for a short, elegant drop.
Long and slender: add the central pear-shaped drop, and the earrings become long pendeloque-style ear pendants, graceful and swinging.
Full evening glamour: add the two side drops, and you have the complete girandole: three aquamarine drops fanning out beneath the bow, a dramatic, chandelier look that catches the light with every movement.
Please see the pictures, which show the earrings both assembled and taken apart.
Gems are open-backed, allowing light to enter from behind. Exceptionally attractive.
Marks and Metal:
No marks. Gold was electronically tested as 14k.
Condition:
Generally good, wearable condition. Some areas of gold appear darker/brighter than others, but there is no evidence of alteration or restoration. Not visible to the naked eye, the gemological appraisal found that one of the upper stones has different gemological properties from the others, which suggests it may be a replacement. It is an excellent visual match, but mentioned for the sake of total accuracy. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
Date:
Girandole earrings were the height of fashion for a few hundred years. Huge, multi-sectioned, dangling earrings were the perfect foil for swept-up hair. Earrings with multiple drops were popular during the Classic era of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. With the discovery of fabulous mineral wealth in Latin America, the Spanish and Portuguese led the way with enormous girandole earrings, usually set with emeralds, topaz and rock crystal. These girandole earrings, dating a little later, are a whole different creature. First and foremost
These earrings are typical of the reign of William IV, the successor to the Georgians and predecessor, and uncle, to Queen Victoria. Since his reign was fairly short, we include it in the Georgian period. It is also known as the Romantic Era.
Following the 1820's, cannetille jewelry was replaced by lightweight, big look repousse gold. This had the advantage of using less gold, being both cheaper, lighter and more comfortable to wear.
The book EARRINGS by Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi, page 95, illustrates a pair of repousse gold and aquamarine earrings, dated 1835. They write: "These earrings are typical of the time for their length, lightness and for the choice of the stones, ... aquamarine". "The lightness of the mount makes them comfortable to wear in spite of their size.".
Day and Night”
earrings were a clever solution for women of the period. By day, fashion called for modest, simple jewelry. By evening, under candlelight, larger and more brilliant pieces came into their own. Rather than owning two pairs, a woman could simply add the drops for dinner or a ball and remove them the next morning. It was practical and economical, and it gave her a whole wardrobe of looks from a single pair.
