Magnificent Victorian Style Earrings with 4.50 ct Diamonds in Silver

The jewellery of bygone times has always fascinated the contemporaries. In the 18th century, cameos from Roman times were collected, rich London women of the 1860s bought jewellery in the style of the ancient Etruscans from Castellani, and even today, with a few tricks of the trade, pieces of jewellery are created that celebrate the splendour and nostalgia of past centuries. This pair of earrings is just such a piece of jewellery. They sparkle in the light of a total of c. 4.50 ct of diamonds, which shine even brighter thanks to the patinated silver. This type of earring was particularly popular in the mid-19th century. For comparison, we have included a detail of a portrait of a lady by Friedrich Wilhelm Herdt from 1833 (see last illustration). From the patinated silver to the old cuts of the diamonds and their pinched settings, they skillfully capture the aesthetics of the period. It is only small details that indicate to the critical eye that the earrings were created much later: the leverbacks, the hue of the gold, minimal details of the settings and diamond cuts. In general, the use of diamonds encourages a second, critical look, as these were much rarer before the discovery of South African diamond deposits in the late 1860s. Instead, rock crystals, glass or diamonds in more material-saving cuts such as rose cuts were often used. It is not possible to say exactly when the earrings were created, as they so wonderfully imitate the aesthetics of a time long past. We assume that they were not created before the middle of the 20th century. In the 1970s, for example, there was a first major wave of Victorian revival, and in more recent years there has been a significant increase in interest in antique jewellery in the spirit of sustainability and a return to traditional craftsmanship. Either way, this is a luxurious pair that impresses with its nostalgic appeal and rich fittings.

Estimate:£6,778.45

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