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| Earrings Rubies, Diamond, Pearls, Enamel, Gold 1860 The Victoria & Albert Museum |
Though the design of these earrings is decidedly Indian, the construction is most likely European, particularly French. French jewelers and English jewelers alike tried, for awhile, to emulate the look of the Indian jewelry which had been so admired at the 1851 Great Exhibition.
Indian jewels of the era were characterized by their rich appearance—a look that was achieved by combining enameled gold with heavy settings of pearls and dense patterns of thinly cut colored stones.
2 comments:
These are really beautiful and very interesting...at first glance they look to be an identical pair, but, as you mentioned, the central stones are different in size. As you look closer, you begin to see other differences...such as the mount holding the pearl is different as are the backs. Very interesting. I bet there's a story there!
I would go as far as to suggest that the right earring was made at a later date to match an existing pendant. Of course, these little differences wouldn't be evident when the earrings are worn. But, you're right. There must be some kind of story here.
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