Antique French Fringe Earrings of Gold

The 19th century was a veritable “embarrassment of riches” in the number of different styles of earrings available to the female purveyor of jewelry. Everything from the fishwives’ poissardes to shoulder-length pendants was worn. Long and light or Renaissance and 18th century classical revival—limitations of design were few.

One of the more free-flowing articulated types which emerged during the 1860s was the fringe earring. Beginning with an oval or round surmount above a fringe of articulated pointed drops, this earring soon evolved into a more tight and compact drape of graduated gold chains.

A black enamel and 18k yellow gold open circle dotted with a square of green paste surmounts an Etruscan influenced pendant earring appointed with a horizontal bar of five (5) luscious natural pearls, additional squares of green paste concluding with a gentle wave of graduated 18k gold fringe chains. The articulated elements of the earring display a rather playful movement complimenting the mesmerizing subtle action of the shifting of the golden linked chains.

Measurements: 1-15/16 inches (4.9 cm) in length by 9/16 of an inch (1.9 cm) in width by 1/16 of an inch (0.2 cm). This pair of antique earrings has a weight of 5.9 grams (3.7 dwt).

Hallmarks: Indistinct mark on each of the ear wires.

Condition: Excellent and overall lovely; all enamel is intact; a mount of one green paste slightly distorted if viewed with a loupe.

Date & Origin: Circa 1870 and most likely European in origin.

Overall Scale: Medium