The design of these stunning earrings is very typical for jewellery from the Iberian peninsula, Portugal and Spain, in the 18th Century.
Each earring has a crown-like top and engraved decorations. The earrings are 'day-to-night' earrings, that have a drop that could also be removed, if you would like to wear a simpler design. Each element is set with a flat-cut garnet. Because the design is hollow, they are surprisingly light and comfortable to wear.
I believe that originally, between the current tops and bottoms was another, more elaborate middle part, as is typical for earrings from this region.
The left earring in the pictures is a 'marriage', or a blend of different jewels, since the drop has been added later, likely from a broken earring of a similar design. If you look closely you will notice that its design is slightly different, and it is not set with a garnet, but with a round-cut ruby. I wish these earrings could talk and would be able to tell us what happened to them in the past!
The earrings are fitted with the original hook-closings, which are threaded through the ear in the front, and closed in the back.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 36 x 11 mm.
Weight: Combined weight 5.70 grams.
Age: Late 18th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1780s.
Material: Each earring has been acid tested as being 18kt gold.
Condition: These earrings are in antique condition with signs of wear, consistent with their age. As described above, I believe one drop was added later and is not originally part of this set.
Please note that this shop is based in the EU. Buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import taxes.