A pair of antique Georgian rose cut diamond dormouse earrings - EST 2.80 TCW.
We have a serious thing for rare and early antique rose cut diamond earrings...
These particularly gorgeous pair were hand crafted around 1800-1820 in Continental Europe, most likely the territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Not unusual for this period, they are made entirely in silver and they are not hallmarked. Their style, with the silver, rubover settings to the diamonds and a lacy, silver gallery around the gemstone settings, as well as the workmanship points to the Austro-Hungarian region as their origin. The rose cut diamonds are chunky and substantial, measuring 8.2 x 6.5 mm and 8.7 x 6.9 mm. The TCW, total estimated diamond carat weight, of the two large diamonds is 2.8 carats, making each one around 1.4 carats. They are foil set underneath and are so beautifully, brilliantly sparkly! The earrings' overall dimensions are 1 1/4 x 7/8 inches. They weigh 7.3 grams together. They are in amazing antique condition as are the diamonds and foiling.
There are many reasons why this style of earring, the dormeuse, was so immensely popular and fashionable on the Continent and at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and continues to be just as popular today! They are fabulously flattering, sitting just below the earlobe and these in particular add the sparkle factor, beautifully complimenting long and short hairstyles, light and dark hair. Just wonderful - huge diamonds with enormous charm and impact. So early yet timeless, superbly opulent and elegant with the old world charm. Just irresistibly beautiful!!