19th-Century Victorian Cameo Earrings – Mythology and Femininity in Gold

These extraordinary Victorian earrings, crafted around 1830, tell a story of refined elegance and symbolism. Finely carved cameos, encased in rich 18K yellow gold and highlighted with black enamel, depict timeless profiles adorned with crescent moons and botanical motifs. These design elements suggest ties to mythology and nature, reflecting the Victorian fascination with storytelling through jewellery. A striking testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, these earrings are not just adornments but artefacts that connect us to an era steeped in beauty and meaning.

Antique jewelry object group
earrings long hanging

Condition
in very good condition, though there are slight imperfections on the surface of the black enamel.
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French or Belgian origin.

Style
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Period
ca. 1830
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mythology (?)

Theme
Mythology and femininity, reflected in crescent moons and botanical motifs, symbolising harmony and natural beauty.

Material 18K
yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Techniques
Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewellery or vessel made in this manner. It features a raised (positive) relief image. There are three main materials for Cameo carving; Shells or Agate (called a Hardstone cameo), and glass. Cameos can be produced by setting a carved relief, such as a portrait, onto a background of a contrasting colour. This is called an assembled cameo. Alternately, a cameo can be carved directly out of a material with integral layers or banding, such as (banded) agate or layered glass, where different layers have different colours. Sometimes dyes are used to enhance these colours. Cameos are often worn as jewellery. Stone cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century BC. They were very popular in Ancient Rome, and one of the most famous stone cameos from this period is the Gemma Claudia made for the Emperor Claudius. The technique has since enjoyed periodic revivals, notably in the early Renaissance, and again in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Hallmarks
Illegible remains.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
height 7,60 cm (2,99 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
9,90 gram (6,37 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
24278-0417

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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