Vintage Retro Earrings Ear Clips 18k gold cornucopia Italian non pierced (7485)

Vintage Retro earrings / ear clips. 18k gold.  Made in Italy circa 1940's. Non-pierced - Can be worn by women without pierced ears.   

Measurements: 

Weight is 15.2 grams. Approximately 1 inch (3cm) long. 

Description :

Cornucopia or horns of plenty have been symbols of a wealth or overflowing supply of riches. These curving, hollow horns are somewhat stylised and the richness spilling from them is symbolised by concentric swirling waves. Surfaces with strong curves and elegant overlapping scrolls. The Retro period was typified by strong, bold design exemplified in these clips.
The earrings with hinged, sturdy ear clips that are very easy to clip onto the ear lobe and comfortable to wear. 
The earrings are very smart. Wear as an elegant finish to any outfit.
Very well made. 

Marks and Metal:

No marks found. Acid tested as 18k gold. Electronically tested as a tad under - 17.5 - 17.7k.  

Condition:

Good with negligible 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: 

Since the days of Ancient Greek mythology, cornucopia, representing goats' horns have symbolised a surpluss of plenty, a want for nothing and a sense of well-being. Often depicted with fruit spilling from them, the theme was advanced to depict gold coins or jewels spilling from them.
Jewelry often still relies on the theme of cornucopia, needing colored gems to depict the plentiful. In this case, the jeweller has restricted his palette to pure gold, the geometric patterning of the surfaces providing a wealth of interest. 
In the wonderful book on Earrings by Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi, there is a section devoted to ear clips, in which they mention that for the first time, clips, appearing from the 1930's allowed women without pierced ears to wear earrings; they focused on the ear lobe and often conformed to the shape of the lobe, curling up, instead of dangling below. For this reason, there is a distinguished left and right earring. As in our example also, they therefore included spirals, a design highly suitable for the cornucopia with it's 'spiralling' form and 'spiralling' contents. 
The 1940's, partly due to fashions set by Wallace Simpson, brought about a return to gold jewelry, as in these earrings - entirely designed in gold.