Victorian 15ct Gold Etruscan Revival Earrings set with Natural Split Pearls

A beautiful pair of 15ct gold drop earrings that were made circa 1860-1880. They have applied gold work known as “Etruscan work” which is fine gold wire that has been hand applied. To understand Etruscan Revival jewellery, you have to know of the original Etruscan jewellery unearthed in tombs just outside Rome in the early 1800s. Intricately wrought golden earrings and necklaces were meticulously ornamented with tiny gold beads and twisted wires densely applied to the surface. No one had seen gold worked like that since the Etruscans had carefully buried the treasures with their dead.
The secret to the fascinating granulation found on the Etruscan hoards was claimed to have been discovered by Fortunato Pio Castellani and he produced many replicas of archeological treasure finds using ancient techniques. Other jewellers copied his technique.

These earrings are a lovely example with bead and rope granulation and each one has been set with a natural split pearl.