This silver demi parure, consisting of a pair of earrings and a pendant brooch, was created in Portugal in the mid-1700s. The earrings depict two flowers, while the pendant brooch is designed more elaborately with several scroll-like elements and a loose drop at the bottom.
Each jewel is fully set with paste gemstones, which have been faceted to emulate the way diamonds were faceted in the mid 1700s. If you look closely, you'll notice that most gems have a tiny black dot in the center, which was added to emulate the culet (or tip facet) of a natural diamond.
The earrings are fitted with hook fittings that open and close at the front of the design, a feature that is very typical for earrings of the 18th Century. The hooks are fitted with a little loop, a handy little feature that makes opening and closing them a little less fidgety.
The term 'paste' is now generally used for a specific type of faceted glass gemstone that was developed by George Friedrich Strass in the 1720s. Glass material has been used in jewellery since glass was invented millennia ago, but Strass experimented with the lead content and created a recipe that created a brilliance that replicated diamonds.
This not only gave ladies a more affordable option to diamond jewellery, but it also allowed jewellery designers the chance to create outspoken, elaborate designs that were more difficult to make with natural diamonds. This set is a great example of this, since the various shapes and sizes of the paste stones, which would have been very difficult to gather in natural diamonds.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: Each earring measures 24 x 18 mm, the pendant brooch measures 51 x 51 mm.
Weight: The earrings have a combined weight of 7.80 grams, the pendant brooch weighs 15.50 grams.
Age: 18th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1760s.
Material: Hallmarked with French import hallmarks for 800/1000 silver.
Condition: In good antique condition with minor signs of wear, consistent with their age. Please note that two paste gemstones are missing: one in the very top, and one at the very left of the pendant brooch. This can be seen in the pictures.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes. This shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.