Victorian 18k Shell Cameo Swiss Enamel Day/Night Earrings

Swiss Enameled pieces were commonly produced to be sold as souvenirs for Victorian travelers. A very fine type of enameling, this technique used very intricate detail and often portrayed scenic Swiss Alps villages with streams, mountains and wonderful homes and churches. These serene images were produced by first covering a piece of metal in a neutral enameled color. A wonderful detailed picture was then painted on the enameled base and re-fired to set the image. A clear glaze was then applied to the image to preserve it. The pieces were often set in a hollow frame making them very light and comfortable to wear.

Italian carvers began to use shells for their creations in the early 1880's. Most commonly, cameos portrayed the faces or images of Romanesque women. Most often they had upswept hairstyles and some were even adorned with jewelry. The cameos usually depicted the portrait of the "idealized" woman or god's and goddesses from mythology.

 

A beautiful pair of day/night earrings from the Victorian (ca1880) era! Crafted in 18k gold, each earring features two components that are adorned with intricate Swiss enamel work. With a wonderfully elaborate appearance, the design allows them to be transformed from very simple "day" earrings to a more ornate and long "night" earring. The "day" component of the earrings begins with a small, shield-shaped surmount which is decorated with floral enamel work and a central, bezel-set shell cameo. The small cameo depicts the side profile of a woman with a dainty updo. The bottom of the surmount is decorated with three-dimensional gold foliage detailing the create a stunning border around the surmount's base. Hanging from the surmount is the "night" component, which is long and slender in shape, and decorated with similar floral enamel work. The lower link also features a bezel-set cameo depicting the side profile of a woman, and the base of the component also features three- dimensional gold foliage detailing. The vibrant colors incorporated through the enamel work and the delicate cameos result in a very unique, and special pair of earrings. Although these earrings do not depict a scenic Swiss image, they are indeed an absolutely wonderful example of the Swiss Enamel fine craft! The earrings are completed by 18k front opening lever-backs. Extremely light in weight, the earrings have a hollow center and are very comfortable to wear. These wonderfully elaborate and unusual earrings are a must for any Swiss Enamel collection!

Measurements: The earrings hang approximately 2 1/2" long, are 5/8" at the widest point and a little less than 1/8" thick.

Condition: The overall condition of the earrings is excellent. There is no damage to the gold setting, enamel work, or shell cameos. The front opening lever-backs are intact and secure.