Story
The traditional girandole, a quintessential 18th century form of jewelry, consisted of a five element design. The surmount suspends a ribbon or bow-shaped section, which in turn supports three drops.
A number of variations on this theme existed ranging from wider and shorter types, longer, and thinner, those with even sized dangles, or ones with one larger and two smaller drops.
In this magnificent example, each earring showcases nine antique diamonds, a mix of modified table cuts and rose cuts. All the diamonds are set into high conical domes of gold with the edges rubbed over the stones.
The central stylized bow form is lyrical with its structure giving a sense of foliage with tendrils and vine-like scrolls. The reverse reveals both thinner gold elements as well as rounded and closed backed forms. Each part varies ever so slightly as these are completely handmade. Please note the back to front ear wires as is typical of the time period.
Note: Please refer to page 61 in “Earrings: From Antiquity to the Present” by Mascetti and Triossi and page 63 for an almost exact example.