Gold Earrings in the Archaeological Style, Converted from Antique

In earlier centuries, jewellery fashions changed very slowly. In the 19th century, however, the pace of change accelerated as the financially stronger bourgeoisie became an important new group of buyers with a hunger for variety. While people at court often wore rather conservative pieces of jewellery, it was the wealthy bourgeoisie and bohemians who wore the latest, sometimes daring creations. In the period around 1870, for example, the jewellery of the ancient Etruscans became fashionable. Some ladies owned antique originals, but the displays of jewelers were also characterized by antique-inspired creations. Characteristics of this style are strong symmetries, soldered small balls of gold, so-called granulations and twisted cords that form ornaments. A contemporary catalog from the London company Streeter from 1870 shows the variety of forms in which such pieces were created at the time, see also online here. We have included the corresponding page in the picture gallery above. This pair of earrings shows all of these stylistic features: Under a simple ear hoop, we find long pendulums that end at the bottom in a kind of lantern with rich trimming of granulations. The earrings shimmer in a warm yellow gold tone. Details of the workmanship on the back reveal that the pendulums were originally part of a larger piece of jewellery, perhaps a necklace with fringes, which were also very fashionable around 1870. Not so long ago, they became the earrings presented here. The ear hoops have been newly added.

Estimate:$1,333.1

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