Antique Vintage Nouveau Gold Filled GF Etruscan Chalcedony Cameo Earrings 3.2g

Description

We have similar Etruscan and Art Nouveau items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Etruscan" or "Nouveau" under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Age Circa
: Art Nouveau C. 1890 - 1910
Markings
: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin
: Unknown
Brand
: Unknown
Gram Weight
: 3.2 grams
Metal Type
: 14k rose gold filled over base metal
Material
: --
Main Stone
: Chalcedony
Main Stone Measurements/Color
:
Length:
7.95 mm & 8.13 mm
Width
: 5.79 mm & 5.98 mm
Color:
semi-translucent deep peach hue with opaque white hue
Accent Stone
: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color
: --
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts
: Polished high relief cameo carving
Item Measurements
:
Length:
1.02" & 1.31"
Width:
0.53" & 0.54"
Earring Style
: Dangle
Earring Backing Style
: Shepherd's crook backing with a safety catch. Your jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears
: Pierced
Notable Features:
These earrings were handmade during the Art Nouveau era, likely acquired during a Grand Tour, the traditional holiday of the upper class
Created in the Etruscan style
Composed of 14k yellow gold filled over base metal
Features a beautiful cameo carved from a chalcedony stone
The cameo depicts the profile of a woman's face in the style of Greco-Roman art
The chalcedony stone showcases lovely deep peach and white hues
This cameo rests atop an elegant motif that is a hollow piece of puffy jewelry, created using the repousse metalworking technique
A diamond-shaped motif beneath the cameo contains hand-chased foliate designs
The motif with the cameo is attached to the backing via a hinge, and dangles from another diamond-shaped motif with a foliate motif
Completed with a shepherd's crook backing with a safety catch which makes them suitable for pierced ears
Damage
: Age appropriate wear. One of the hook backings has broken off from one of the earrings and is missing; a new backing can be added by your local jeweler in order for the earring to be worn. There is also minor wear to the gold filled over base metal in some areas, exposing the base metal underneath. The price has been reduced to reflect this.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Art Nouveau era, 1890-1910, was also called "La Belle Epoque" in French, which translates to "A Beautiful Time.”
This was very true due to the gorgeous designs that came out of this period.  This era focused on women and the beauty of nature and the pieces were often large. Enamel was a common material used in Art Nouveau jewelry as the period was more about the importance of the design over the materials used to create it. The Art Nouveau period happened before the start of the first World War, when mass manufacturing took over the production of many products, including some jewelry.
Etruscan Revival jewelry was first popularized during the early 1800s when an Etruscan tomb was discovered just outside of Rome. Upon its discovery, jewelers worked to imitate and understand the metalworking techniques with which the jewelry was made. Not only was Etruscan jewelry a luxurious addition to the Victorian styles of the day. But it introduced new ideas and decorations. These Etruscan tombs contained jewelry adorned with long and flowing geometric lines and motifs, mythological imagery and scenery, and celestial elements. The techniques of repoussé, filigree, and granulation are all attributed to the Etruscans.
The Grand Tour was a popular vacation during the Georgian and Victorian eras. This vacation was generally between two and four years long, and it allowed wealthy people the opportunity to study different cultures, architecture, and art. During this vacation, travelers would pick up pieces of jewelry, which allowed the introduction of techniques and styles such as cameos, mosaics, and pietra dura to be introduced into popular jewelry styles.
A cameo is an image that has been carved in raised relief by cutting away the background of different materials to create a contrast in height and color. The earliest examples of cameos date back to the 3rd century BC. In antiquity, this was achieved by carving into a single piece of banded agate to reveal the layers of colors, but now it is much more common that cameos are made of two different materials. The most common form of fine jewelry cameo is created by layering a carved white shell on top of a stone of contrasting color with a flat plane. Cameos usually depict a beautiful or famous person in profile, or a mythological figure. The Romans were true artisans when it came to creating these pieces, so there are many Roman cultural influences found in cameos, even to this day. These are true miniature art works.
Chalcedony is a compact and microcrystalline form of quartz. It occurs in many different forms, colors, and patterns, and many varieties have been used as gemstones since antiquity. Several semi-precious gemstones are types of chalcedony such as agate, aventurine, carnelian, and onyx. Chalcedony is coveted for being a healing stone with mineral properties that promote unity and good will.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
First Class
: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
: .00 fully insured, overnight delivery
International
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Please take this into consideration before placing your bid.
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