Victorian Pietra Dura Drop Earrings in Silver Mounts Aesthetic Period Circa 1880
A stunning pair of Victorian pendant earrings in super condition. Two shield-shaped panels of Pietra Dura have been bezel set into silver with twisted silver borders around them. They hang from their original silver ear wires, which are surmounted with a silver leaf, possibly an oak or fern leaf. The Pietra Dura panels have a delightful design of bright blue Forget-me-nots and white Lily-of-the-valley together with green leaves. They are in great condition with no pieces of inlaid hardstone missing, and no cracks to the panels front or back. The panels are very probably Italian in origin, where they excelled at this work (the name Pietra Dura translating from the Italian as hard stone), and they would have been imported to England to be mounted. The silver twist design and the leaf are typical of the Aesthetic period Circa 1880. Hanging to a length of 50mm, with a good weight for the perfect swing, these are feminine and beautiful antique earrings.
Please see the photos for exact condition detail
Length : 5cm including hooks (stones are 28mm by 23mm)
Weight : 7.5g
Metal/Purity : Sterling Silver
Price includes free UK tracked 24 postage #10037
More pics / details available on request