Earring thumbnail 1
Earring thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Earring

1810-20 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The cameos in the earrings show cupids. Jewels with portraits or sentimental symbols of love, such as butterflies, doves and cupids, were always very popular.

Sentimental jewellery was an outward expression of emotion. It was used to declare affection for family and friends, passion for a lover, and loyalty to a monarch or a cause, also religious devotion and grief.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Earring
  • Earring
Materials and techniques
Shell and gold
Brief description
Pair of earrings decorated with shell cameos of putti, mounted in gold, Italy, 1810-20.
Physical description
Pair of earrings decorated with shell cameos of putti mounted in gold.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The cameos in the earrings show cupids. Jewels with portraits or sentimental symbols of love, such as butterflies, doves and cupids, were always very popular.

Sentimental jewellery was an outward expression of emotion. It was used to declare affection for family and friends, passion for a lover, and loyalty to a monarch or a cause, also religious devotion and grief.
Collection
Accession number
1314B&C-1871

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Record createdAugust 8, 2005
Record URL
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