-40%
Rare Antique Victorian Blue Chinoiserie Enamel Gold Fringe Earrings Brooch Set
$ 525.36
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Description: Antique Victorian Blue Chinoiserie Enamel Fringe Tassel Earrings & Brooch SetWonderful Whimsical Amazing looking Long Drippy Earrings & Large Convertible Brooch!
Victorian earrings & brooch made of real and very rare
Authentic Pinchbeck Gold!
Pinchbeck gold looks remarkably like very high karat gold but in reality
was created from a secret metal alchemy formula that was only used during a short period of time in the Victorian era.
It is durable and a solid material; not plating or a superficial finish.
The oval plaque front of each piece is hand enameled / painted with Chinoiserie style decoration of a delicate Asian/Chinese figure.
The oval plaques are layered in color.
I am not sure of their material. Perhaps they are porcelain or partially porcelain.
The top
/
front layer of the oval plaques are more of an evening sky blue (a touch of violet in the blue) than what appears in some of my pictures.
The bottom layer/back sides of the oval plaques are a shinier black surface material.
The earrings each have a band of fringe/tassels that "swing" from their bottoms, being attached on each end to a loop on the edge of the gold frame.
The brooch has two similar loops on the back (attached to each side of the lower half of the frame).
It is possible that there once also was a band of fringe that was secured there as well.
However, it is also possible that the loops may be there so that the earrings had a place to be attached to the bottom of the brooch to be able to create a more extravagant double pendant brooch (see listing picture).
Convertible jewelry was very popular in the Victorian era, as they often liked the ability to manipulate (take apart and re-combine) their pieces into different ornamental forms for various functions (i.e. a piece could be worn a gem set brooch could be directly attached to the collar of the matching gem set necklace
,
etc.)
.
The earrings have newer wires/findings that presently do not attach to the loops securely, therefor, if you want to wear them that way (attached to the loops in the brooch)
they
would have to be changed and/or
adjusted.
Condition: The pieces do show some authentic (and in my opinion, charming) wear to the hand painting.
The most noticeable wear is to the painting of the front surface of the brooch which also has one bead missing from the gold frame directly above the protruding pin stem tip (really only noticeable upon very close inspection).
I could not find any marks are signatures. However, as I previously stated, this is true Pinchbeck gold and not just gold fill, brass, gold plate, gilt, etc.
Earring wires are newer unmarked & untested gold tone metal.
The brooch has C type pin catch.
Please read below for measurements and more details on condition:
Please note that my pictures are enlarged to enhance your ability to personally evaluate any details, and that colors may vary somewhat depending on technological capabilities and limitations (i.e., monitor's color calibration, etc.
).
Approximate Measurements:
Earrings are 2" long (
not
including wires
) x a little over 1/2" wide
-
Brooch is 1.1/2" x 1.1/8"
*Please rely on the measurements in the listing description and not the listing pictures when evaluating size, as my photos are often enlarged.
Condition (Specifics):
Beautiful antique condition that includes any details previously mentioned in above description, as well as
some overall age appropriate wear (i.e., occasional surface wear/scuff/scratch/nick/flea bite/smudge/patina/discoloration/grime, etc.). Please see enlarged pictures to evaluate for yourself.
Condition (General):
I do my best to describe my items accurately. However, please look closely at pictures to evaluate the item and condition for yourself. Many items are antique, vintage or estate and may have age appropriate wear and/or patina that may benefit from a careful cleaning and/or polishing that I will leave up to the buyer.
Please Read Before Bidding:
It is very important to me you are happy with your purchase. Please ask questions before bidding to insure against disappointment. However, upon request, I will gladly accept returns and issue refunds for items returned/shipped back within 14 days (of confirmed delivery to buyer's address).