Auction Estimate: $5,000 - $10,000
Age Circa: Georgian C. 1714 - 1837
Markings: 14k & horse shoe mark on the back of the screw backs (screw back gold purity exclusively), Tested, Guaranteed (22k)
Country of Origin: Spain
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight: 10.9 Grams
Metal Type: 22k Yellow Gold
Metal Melt Value: $410.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material: --
Main Stone: Salmon Coral
Main Stone Measurements/Color: 4 mm in diameter beads, 19.5 mm Long by 8 mm wide Cabochon cut Coral, Solid Salmon orange hue throughout
Accent Stone: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --
Stone Treatment: The stones appear to be untreated, but we are not certified Gemologists and cannot be sure.
Stone Cuts: Cabochon cut bead & tear drop shaped Coral
Earring Style: Drop/Dangle
Earring Backing Style: Screw back. Your local jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears: Both
Item Measurements: The earrings measure in at 2.75" long by 1" wide.
Notable Features: These incredible earrings were handmade in Spain out of 22k yellow gold during the Georgian era and feature Salmon Coral throughout! These earrings measure in at 2.75" long and were most likely made to be wedding earrings. The coral in this piece is hand carved into a tear drop shape at the bottom and a bead shape at the top. The coral features a smooth polished surface throughout and showcases a beautiful salmon orange hue that is solid throughout. The gold design of this piece is completely handmade and features leaf patterns and other designs that have been hand hammered into shape! The design includes rare designs that are made using the Cannetille technique. The designs include thin sheets of yellow gold that have been hand hammered into beautiful shapes and small floral designs that feature thin sheets of gold throughout that make up the flower petals. The designs also are hand carved into flower petals and graduated granulated beads of gold throughout that all come together to make an intricate and incredible pattern. It would have taken an incredibly talented artist to create the work of art we have up for auction today. A picture is truly worth a thousand words in the case of these earrings. Do not forget to zoom in on the pictures above to fully appreciate all of the intricate and complex designs put into these Spanish wedding earrings!
Damage: Age appropriate wear. The screw backs were added onto these earrings at a later date and are made out of 14k gold. They blend in beautifully with the style of the earrings. The gold design has a small break on the side with one earring. A Laser weld will easily repair this break to make them good as new. There is also a small part of the design missing near the same earring, however, it is hard to notice and the earrings still look incredible.
*Display items do not come with purchase, item only, unless otherwise noted.*
The History
This pendant comes from the Georgian Era! The Georgian Era is known for its hand crafted designs that shaped the jeweler world as we know it today! Georgian jewelry today is extremely rare!
Cannetille is a close relative of filigree work. It typically features fine gold wires or thinly hammered sheets. Jewelry with cannetille was very popular in the 1820's and 1830's. Motifs included tendrils, scrolls, coils, beehives and spider-like rosette ornaments.
Filigree metal working has been around for thousands of years, however was perfected by the Phoenicians and Etruscan civilizations. It involves stamping out a design in your metal and hand bending and twirling until your design in formed, it is considered one of the most difficult metal working processes.
Precious coral is harvested almost exclusively in the Mediterranean off the coasts of Italy, France, Spain, Algeria, and Tunisia. Salmon Coral has widely been valued as the rarest and most beautiful of all Coral types. During the Victorian Period only the richest of the rich could afford to have this form of coral harvested and imported into Europe and North America.
