With a Suit of Coloured Velvet...

Georgian Paste Buttons Mounted as Clip-On Earrings, Last Third of the 18th Century/2nd Half of the 20th Century

€ 1,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Georgian Paste Buttons Mounted as Clip-On Earrings, Last Third of the 18th Century/2nd Half of the 20th Century

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Two dazzling flowers of clear, faceted stones have come together here. What sparkles like diamonds is glass, but was cut by hand with the same effort as precious gemstones and set over silver foil to increase its brilliance. Even back then, these paste stones were called "Pierres de Strass", rhinestones, after their inventor Georges Frédéric Strass. But these two rhinestone flowers were not always earrings: they once adorned the coat of an elegant gentleman. Men's fashion in the 18th century was far more colorful, varied and decorative than that of the 19th century. The basic outfit of the so-called élégant included a suit with vest, coat and knee-length trousers, the so-called Habit à la Française. Depending on the wearer's budget and taste, his habit could be woven from rich, colorful fabrics, ornately embroidered and trimmed. The vest and coat naturally had to have matching buttons, of which there was a large selection. In 1788, for instance, the Paris correspondent of the "Journal des Luxus und der Moden" wrote: "For the following winter, the full suit for respectable men consists of garments of coloured velvet, with white lining, and [...] buttons of Pierre de Strasse brilliant-cut and entirely transparent". (Journal des Luxus und der Moden, 3rd vol., October 1788, p. 403.) As more than a dozen buttons were needed for a skirt and vest, they were produced in large numbers and some were also preserved in sets for later generations. However, due to changing fashions, they were no longer used as vest buttons. However, as the buttons were artistically crafted, they were often reworked into rings or earrings. This is also the case here: However, the reworking only took place quite late, in the second half of the 20th century. Sterling silver clips make the former buttons wearable on the ear, even without pierced ears. We were able to acquire the earrings from a private collection. They have been carefully preserved and, despite their age, still shine almost as brightly as on the first day.

Size & Details

With a Suit of Coloured Velvet...

€ 1,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

Learn more

With a Suit of Coloured Velvet...

Earrings

Privacy settings