Antique Victorian Dutch Gold Chandelier Filigree Pendant Earrings

These 14ct yellow gold Dutch Victorian chandelier earrings from 1860 gleam through a constellation of filigree stars dispersed over two suspending triangles complementary to a rounded bottom. Each with four dangling gold globes in resemblance of the centres of each suspension and each with two curb chains reaching from the bottom to the top, these antique pendant earrings declare a passion for delicacy, detail and devotion.

Antique jewellery object group: earrings, long hanging

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: Netherlands

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.

Style specifics: The Grand Victorian Period – Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 – 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 – 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 – 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 – 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewellery from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewellers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria’s husband King Albert making mourning jewellery (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewellery specific for this period.

Period: ca. 1860

Material: 14ct yellow gold

Technique: Filigree (formerly written filigrann or filigrane) is a delicate kind of jewel work made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver or stitching of the same curving motifs. It often suggests lace and French from 1660 to the late 19th century. It should not be confused with ajoure jewellery work; while both have many open areas, filigree involves threads being soldered together to form an object and ajoure involves holes being punched, drilled, or cut through an existing piece of metal. (from: Wikipedia)

Hallmarks: The Dutch control mark representing an oak leaf and that was in use between 1852 and 1906.

Dimensions: height 7,50 cm (2,95 inch)

Weight: 9,60 gram (6,17 dwt)