Ornate Pillows of Gold - Cannetille Earrings
Conjuring up images of life in the green and lush countryside of another era, these airy intricate hoop earrings are made of 18k yellow gold. Considered provincial jewelry, there is an immense landscape of jewelry from many European countries that was tied to traditional dress and ornament.
Similar earrings may be seen on pages 36 and 37 in “Croatian National Jewelry” by Ivanka Vrtovek. These earrings are meant to be worn back to front with the ear wires going into the back of the ear. The ear wires then seat down into a small hole at the top of one hoop and push down into the inner cavity.
Condition: Very good to excellent; ear wires slightly out of shape particularly below the insertion line.
Measurements: 1-3/4 inches (4.5 cm) in length when worn by a range of 1-1/16 inches (2.7 cm) to ½ of an inch (1.3 cm) in width. This pair of antique earrings has a weight of 13.7 grams.
Date & Origin: Mid to later 19th century and is Dalmatian or Croatian in origin.
Note: Croatia is an Eastern European republic that lies along the Adriatic Sea (across the wide water from Italy) and encompasses Dubrovnik as well as Montenegro.
