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. 1880 English earrings are fashioned in gold with iridescent (real!) scarab beetles.
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests), newer 10k gold ear wires, beetles
AGE: c. 1880
CONDITION: Very good
SIZE: 1 1/4" length measured from the top of the ear wire, 1/2" width