Antique enamel gold dangle earrings, Victorian era

A flowery pair of Victorian dangle earrings, circa 1850’s, enamel colored flower, 18kt red gold, French wire, in very good antique condition… A touch of history.

Antique jewelry object group: earrings long hanging

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Victorian period can roughly be divided into 3 distinct periods; the Romantic (1837 - 1860), Grand (1861 - 1885), and Late or Aesthetic Period (1880 - 1901). We consider this to be of the Romantic Period. During the early period, romantic and symbolic pieces were most favored and often included motifs of hearts, anchors, snakes and crosses. Also semi-precious gems including garnets, amethyst, coral, turquoise and seed pearls were highly favored.

Period: ca. 1850
(events and facts in 1850)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature (see also: flower symbolism)

Material: 18K red gold
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Hallmarks: No trace.
(more info on hallmarks)

Condition: very good condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: height 7.20 cm (2.83 inch)

Weight: 3.40 gram (2.19 dwt)

Reference Nº: 10315-4293

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

See also our:
long pendent earrings, all earrings, jewelry with enamel, red gold jewelry, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

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