These dangling drop earrings are each centered by a round jasperware cameo, which was created by Wedgwood in the late 18th Century. Each jasperware cameo depicts a putto and is fitted in later, 19th Century earrings.
Jasperware is a form of pottery created by Josaiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) who spend many years developing and perfecting his product, which would become world famous. Jasperware is an unglazed, soft form of pottery, which could be created in a wide variety of colours. These material properties made it very suitable to create classical-inspired pieces, especially cameo-like designs, which were created by combining a white top layer with a coloured bottom layer, often in soft blues, pinks and greens.
Similar Wedgwood medaillons can be found in the collection of the Victorian & Albert Museum, see for instance inventory number 470-1890.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 63 x 20 mm.
Weight: combined 6.50 grams.
Age: The cameos were created around 1780: the earrings were made around 1860.
Material: The earrings are marked for 9k gold.
Condition: In antique condition with wear: please note that one earrings has a cracked cameo and a little damage at its mount: this can be seen in the pictures and luckily is not very noticeable when worn. I had it checked by my jeweler and it sits securely in its setting.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes.