Elegant Pendant Earrings of Saltwater Blister Pearls and Diamonds, c. 1925

This pair of drop earrings found their way to us from Vienna and dates back to a time when long pendant earrings were particularly sought after: the 1920s. They are conceived as slender, vertical lines. Small rose cut diamonds are strung together like a delicate band of light in fine silver settings, guiding the eye downward to the softly shimmering pearls. The pearls are saltwater blister pearls. Unlike pearls that grow freely inside the oyster, these form directly on the inner surface of an oyster shell and are attached there. When the pearl is detached from the shell, one half displays the characteristic pearlescent luster, while the other side consists of the shell’s mother-of-pearl. Here, the blister pearls are used in an unusual way, as a diamond-set cap on each one completes its semicircle into a round shape, in which the luster and sparkle complement each other to form a harmonious whole. The gentle luster of the pearls provides a subtle contrast to the delicate sparkle of the 72 diamond roses incorporated into this pair. A exquisite Art Deco pair!

Estimate:£2,486.30

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