Unusual Gold Earrings

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Posted 22 months, 30 days ago

lovesilver
(3 items)

These earrings belonged to my grandmother. They appear to be gold, have a small pearlescent stone set in a flower carving with a fine flower stalk. No artist markings of any kind.

What I find unusual about them is that they have back-entry hinged wires (meaning the wire must come from the back of the ear to the front) with very large hinges, and I haven't been able to get them on yet.

If anyone has seen anything similar, I would love to know more about them, such as approximate era, where they might have been made. She would have acquired them before 1957.

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Comments

1. vintagegem, 22 months, 28 days ago
   Your earrings do look to be from the turn of the 20th century....although they could very well be newer. As I understand it, these back entry wires are called dormeuse...the French word for sleeper. Many of these earrings are indeed French and you should look very closely (particularly on the wires) for a small hallmark, called poincon, which for gold (18K) would typically be an eagle's head.
   
   They're gorgeous! If you can get them on, they are very comfortable to wear.
2. lovesilver, 22 months, 28 days ago
   Hi vintagegem - thanks so much for providing this info. I will get out the loupe to check the wires, and will update the posting when I've done so.
   My grandmother emigrated from Sicily at the turn of the 20th century, so it would not surprise me if they were European. Thanks again!
3. Agram.m, 21 months, 28 days ago
   Hai,
   They could also be older because I have earrings which are from 1840 they had the same back -entry hinged wires and I could'nt get them on, even trying many times. Because I love wearing them I let them chanched with hooks. I know that they are not originally anymore but I don't want to sell and I love wearing them now. Good look with these earrings they are very nice!
4. lovesilver, 21 months, 27 days ago
   Agram.m,
   
   Thank you for the info - it's very much appreciated!
5. lovesilver, 21 months, 27 days ago
   I just found a reference to the type of stone setting used in these earrings. It is called a gypsy setting, which apparently originated in the late 1800's. Very typically there is a star engraving around the stone. :]

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