Beautiful pair of antique 9ct gold 'target' earrings in the Etruscan revival style. The earrings are hollow and have originally been for pierced ears but have had the hooks removed and silver screw backs added. They were likely converted in the 1930s when customs and attitudes changed and it was considered low class and barbaric for women to pierce their ears!
Nonetheless they are still a beautiful pair of classic Victorian earrings and an interesting illustration into how fashions changed and jewelry was converted for modern wear even though screw backs seem very old fashioned to us these days.
They deserve to be treasured again and we see no reason why the screw ends can't be snipped off leaving just the wire for wear as pierced earrings, but we leave that to the new owner. They will arrive in the new high quality antique style earring box as shown.
MATERIALS: 9ct gold earrings, tested, sterling silver backs
MEASUREMENTS: 5/8 inch diameter (15mm)
DATE: Victorian, circa 1860
WEIGHT: 2.2 grams
HALLMARKS: any gold hallmarks that might have been present are occluded by the addition of the backs that are stamped silver.
CONDITION: Condition is good antique, they are repousse so are hollow and there are dimples on the back that aren't visible when worn. The silver screw backs are soldered on and secure. Our photographs are taken with a magnified macro lens to show you every tiny detail, blemishes and dark spots that appear are not nearly as noticeable to the naked eye.