Antique 14k Gold Day to Night Cannetille Earrings Rose Cut Paste Diamonds Dutch

Description

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Crafted from solid 14 karat gold, these lovely antique earrings feature flattened discs of gold, hand-cut in a convex floriate motif, embellished with cannetille goldwork and rose-cut paste diamonds.
They date to the 19th century and are known as Day to Night earrings because the pendant drops can be removed, allowing a lady to wear the top portion for daytime attire and the top and drop together for dinners and dances and other formal occasions. When worn together, the pendant drops sway with a gentle movement, enhancing the glint and glimmer of the foiled back gemstones.
Dainty and delicate, each earring measures just over 1.5" total length including the ear wires, with a combined weight of 3.4 grams. The top jeweled portion measures 3/8" in diameter, and the pendant drops measure almost 5/8" at their widest. The earrings are hallmarked with the Dutch oak leaf mark for 14 karat gold used from 1852 to 1906. This mark can be seen on the ear wires and on the bail loops for the gold ball drops, as well as on the outer gold 'petals' and center back of the pendant drops. Both earrings fasten securely with earring hooks that were designed to be inserted from the back of the ear and fastened in the front.
They show gentle signs of their long-lived life, including some wear on the back of the earrings and also to the foiling, as is typical for jewelry from this era. Jewelers during this time would place tiny pieces of tinted copper or silver foil behind closed back stones in order to enhance their sparkle or coloration, and over time when the foil gets exposed to water or air, it takes on a patina, giving it a unique luminescence and that distinct ephemeral spark ever-beloved by collectors of antique Georgian jewelry. To my eyes, these tiny imperfections don't detract in any way but make it all the more endearing. Also, if you look closely you can see one of the ear wires was reinforced with gold solder, an apparent period repair caused by the hallmark being struck too deeply, as shown in images 8-10. This isn't noticeable when the earrings are worn but is mentioned for accuracy.
The pictures say it best, so please click on them for a closer look, and if you have any questions, I'm always happy to help. Jewelry boxes/display items are not included, although this will come with a new jewelry box for safe-keeping or giving as a gift. Ships via USPS and will be wrapped with care and mailed within one business day ♡