The Western world became fascinated with Ancient Egyptian culture during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, 1798-1801. By the late 1800s, archaeological finds - sarcophagi, mummies, hieroglyphics - were making news all over Europe, and Egyptian design motifs made their way into Western art, fashion, and architecture. These c. 1890 English earrings are fashioned in gold with iridescent (real!) scarab beetles.
MATERIALS: 10k gold (tests), beetles
AGE: c. 1880
CONDITION: Very good - ear wires are probably replacements
SIZE: 1 1/4" length measured from the top of the ear wires, 1/2" width