These earrings evoke ancient gold jewelry found in Etruscan tombs around Cerveteri and Vulci, discoveries that absolutely blew the minds of the Victorians when they emerged from the earth in the mid-19th century. Archaeological Revival jewelers weren't just "inspired by antiquity" in a decorative sense. They often attempted near-scholarly reconstruction, studying museum collections and handling ancient jewels. Some were able to make plaster casts to bring back to their workshops. The tiny applied granules you see here were particularly hard to imitate. Etruscans had mastered the technique, and the Victorians struggled to match it. One thing they did get right here: the movement. Etruscan jewelry was made to sway and catch firelight and candlelight. Here, the lower pendant is attached by a ring-and-pin mechanism so it swings with a heavy, fluid motion. Extremely high quality workmanship.
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests)
AGE: c. 1870
CONDITION: Very good - one tiny dent near the top of one earring
SIZE: 1 1/2" length measured from the top of the ear wire, 5/8" width