Victorian 1860 Etruscan Revival Earrings In 18Kt Gold With Carved Agates Intaglios
Exceptional Victorian Etruscan Revival earrings.
Very rare and highly decorated hexagonal pieces, created in England during the Victorian Era (1837-1901), circa 1850-1860 or earlier. These fabulous pair of clips earrings has been carefully crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with an exceptional craftsmanship depicting intricate Etruscan revival patterns with textured finish. Fitted at the reverse with very comfortable French omega backs for fastening clips.
Gemstones: A pair of round incuse intaglios, carved from natural two tones agate depicting two ancient Greek Corinthian warriors with crested helmets.
Weight: 33.7 Grams, (21.60 Dwt).
Measurements: 32 mm by 32 mm (1.26 x 1.26 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the 18kt gold assay mark.
The Victorian, era is one of the most influenced and influential periods of antique jewelry. This period is defined by the British monarch, in this case, Alexandrina Victoria, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the Empress of India, years 1837-1901. There are 3 sub-periods within this era. First, the early, Romantic period, which is soaked in traditions, natural motifs in gold and silver, clear stones only being worn during the day and colored gems by night.
The second being the Grand or mourning period, which coincides with the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert the consort, who died in December of 1861. This period included large, dark, somber, dramatic jewelry, with a lot of black onyx, jet wood, amethyst, garnet and gold. This lasted until 1880's, when the aesthetic period of jewelry began.
The Late or third stage of the Victorian period, use more complex and feminine motifs, returning to the natural, including many floral and celestial designs, with more decadent gemstones, lasting until the turn of the century. The Victorian era of jewelry includes many movements found in other countries, including revivals such as the Etruscan the Roman and the Egyptian as well as the Art Nouveau, Liberty style and Arts and Crafts design movements which lead into the beginning of the twentieth century.
History: Between the 1820 and 1890, ancient cities were discovered, such as Troy, Pompeii and Alexandria. Archaeological excavations in Egypt, Greece and Rome, discovered artistic pieces of these ancient cultures. These fabulous discoveries, stimulated cultural trips to these countries, popularly called "grand tour". Being the case that the enthusiast visitors bring back small objects, like souvenirs to be assembled into jewelry. The starting point of these trips were in the cities of Rome and Venice. this is why the craftsmen of these cities created small and interesting objects with ancient characteristics like this cameo.
Revival jewelry: The styles from the renaissance and Middle Ages, begun in the 1850’s, The Renaissance and Egyptian revivals were joined by a classical revival of Greek and Etruscan styles to conform a new aesthetic. As a result of the construction work on the Suez Canal in the mid-1860’s and the Egyptian excavations of Auguste Mariette and the resultant exhibit of Egyptian treasures at the exposition Universelle in 1867, a fascination for all things Egyptian and ancient cultures developed.
Intaglio is an engraved gem, frequently is a small and usually semi-precious gemstone that has been carved, in the Western tradition normally with images or inscriptions only on one face. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the Ancient world, and an important one in some later periods. Strictly speaking, engraving means carving in intaglio (with the design cut into the flat background of the stone), but relief carvings (with the design projecting out of the background as in nearly all cameos) are also covered by the term. This article uses cameo in its strict sense, to denote a carving exploiting layers of differently colored stone. The activity is also called gem carving and the artists gem-cutters. References to antique gems and intaglios in a jewelry context will almost always mean carved gems; when referring to monumental sculpture, counter-relief, meaning the same as intaglio, is more likely to be used. Vessels like the Cup of the Ptolemies and heads or figures carved in the round are also known as hardstone carvings.
Note: Many nineteenth-century jewelers, the most famous being the House of Castellani, were inspired to create their own versions of these ancient pieces, hence “Etruscan Revival.” Characteristics of Etruscan style jewelry include use of high karat gold and semi-precious stones like lapis, malachite and agates, and most distinguishingly, the use of intricate filigree and granulation.
Collateral: They are accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of these earrings are excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. All gemstones, are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: E0000AOEM/.8100
