Ca. 1840 French Vermeil & Tri-faceted Paste Leverback Earrings

Jewelry : Antique : French : Vermeil

 

Here's another magnificent pair of ear drops that have survived the centuries in amazingly good condition, this time from France. As with the mid-Victorian enamel pair, the leverback findings are an integral part of the earring and contain a stone that I believe is a tiny sapphire, though it really is so small I can't be sure. The exquisitely worked cut-out drops contain an unusually cut stone that I'm assuming is paste, since one would never cut a diamond in such a manner (then again, this is the French we're talking about, and being half French myself I know that we'll try anything once!) It's open-backed and one can see quite clearly through it, like a little medallion window in the heavy gold wash that covers the sterling silver beneath. Not counting the wires, the earrings measure 7/8" long x 5/16" wide. No markings, as usual.

Item ID: VICERSFRENCH