Earring thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91 to 93 mezzanine, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Earring

1800-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Traditional earrings from the inland areas of Spain often show traces of very old influences, sometimes dating back to the time of Moorish rule. The shape of the numerous crescent earrings worn with traditional Spanish costume may date back to that time.

This earring was bought in Cordoba, but it is more characteristic of the centre of the country. Its flat crescent shape with engraved decoration, and the small pendant dove hanging in the centre, are both typical of earrings worn in Leon. The green stone set at right angles on the rim is also characteristic of that region. The import of emeralds from South America from the late 16th century onwards made green the most fashionable colour in jewellery throughout Spain.

Similar earrings are also found in Morocco, although those are usually much more decorative.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt set with green paste
Brief description
Silver-gilt hoop earring with pendant dove, set with a green paste, Spain, 19th century.
Physical description
Silver-gilt hoop earring, with a small pendant bird with outstretched wings hanging from a wavy wire stretched across the centre of the hoop. A green paste set at right angles on the outside edge of the hoop. The lower edge of the hoop is decorated with a stippled wavy line.
Dimensions
  • Length: 4.6cm
  • Width: 4.1cm
  • Depth: 1.1cm
Subject depicted
Summary
Traditional earrings from the inland areas of Spain often show traces of very old influences, sometimes dating back to the time of Moorish rule. The shape of the numerous crescent earrings worn with traditional Spanish costume may date back to that time.

This earring was bought in Cordoba, but it is more characteristic of the centre of the country. Its flat crescent shape with engraved decoration, and the small pendant dove hanging in the centre, are both typical of earrings worn in Leon. The green stone set at right angles on the rim is also characteristic of that region. The import of emeralds from South America from the late 16th century onwards made green the most fashionable colour in jewellery throughout Spain.

Similar earrings are also found in Morocco, although those are usually much more decorative.
Collection
Accession number
231-1870

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2008
Record URL
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