Earrings Made from Antique Buttons Dating from Around 1800 with Pink

Glass has been used as a material for colorful, luminous jewellery since ancient times. However, it experienced its greatest heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries, when enthusiasm for sparkling gemstones reached its peak. Cut glass pastes were particularly popular; during the Baroque, Rococo, and later Classical periods, they were by no means considered an inferior substitute. Rather, people appreciated their radiant brilliance and their often surprisingly intense colours. High-quality lead crystal glass was usually the starting point for their production. In 1734, Georges-Frédéric Stras made a decisive breakthrough in Paris with the development of a particularly brilliant, sparkling glass. The “Strass,” named after him, quickly spread throughout Europe. Although it was used as a substitute for real gemstones—for example, in travel jewelry—it was primarily the colored glass pastes of the 18th century that were regarded as gemstones in their own right. Their vivid hues were often not found in nature at all, and real gemstones were much rarer and harder to come by back then than they are today. To further enhance their luminosity, the pastes were often set into pieces of jewellery with a foil backing. A layer of lacquered silver foil was placed behind the stone to reflect the light, creating a particularly intense sparkle. This pair of earrings also attests to the high regard in which these gemstones were held. The hand-cut glass pastes were set against a pink background, which gives them a fresh, vibrant luster. Their settings are crafted as if for precious gemstones: The clamped “collet settings” are made of silver, while the backs and hooks are crafted from gold to ensure better skin compatibility. Delicate engravings underscore the great care and attention to detail with which the pieces were crafted. Originally, these pieces were buttons. In our workshop, they were fitted with high-karat gold hooks and thus transformed into earrings. Today, they are an elegant and colorful eye-catcher on the ear.

Estimate:$1,450.66

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