Earring
1871-1872 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The end of the Franco-Prussian war, in 1871, plunged France into depression. The devastation caused by the Paris Commune, the heavy reparations demanded by Prussia, and the loss of almost 15,000 square kilometres of territory, including Alsace and Lorraine, made the resumption of normal jewellery production seem frivolous. Instead many silversmiths turned their hands to patriotic jewellery.
These earrings mourn the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, surrounded by the chains which now confined them, with the terrible dates hanging below. Contemporary reports also add ivy leaves (for remembrance) and forget-me-nots, but it is not clear what the flowers on these earrings represent. They were put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where they were bought by the Museum for nine shillings (the pair).
These earrings mourn the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, surrounded by the chains which now confined them, with the terrible dates hanging below. Contemporary reports also add ivy leaves (for remembrance) and forget-me-nots, but it is not clear what the flowers on these earrings represent. They were put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where they were bought by the Museum for nine shillings (the pair).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Oxidised silver-plated metal with enamel gilt-metal plaques |
| Brief description | Pair of oxydised silver-plated pendant earrings made to commemorate the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, France, 1871-1872. |
| Physical description | Pair of oxydised silver-plated earrings, set with enamelled gilt metal plaques. Each earring consists of a central oval plaque enamelled with the arms of Alsace or Lorraine, with a crown above, and a small pendant disc hanging below with the date 1870 or 1871. There is a flower on the top at each side, with a swag of chain hanging down each side of the central plaque. Each earring hangs from a small circular plaque, enamelled with the monogram AL, in a cast surround of fleurs-de-lys, attached to a curved wire. |
| Historical context | Made to commemorate the loss of Alsace-Lorraine after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. The production of such jewellery was reported in The Queen at the time as follows: 4/11/1871. p.291 Paris fashions. There is also a new piece of jewellery called the Alsace-Lorraine ring. It is composed of a wreath of ivy and forget-me-not, wrought in gold, and holding the enamelled escutcheons of the two provinces. Sleeve buttons are likewise made to match. 7/9/1872. p.192 Paris fashions. Oxydised silver chatelaines with the arms of Alsace and Lorraine, with sleeve studs to match. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Places depicted | |
| Summary | The end of the Franco-Prussian war, in 1871, plunged France into depression. The devastation caused by the Paris Commune, the heavy reparations demanded by Prussia, and the loss of almost 15,000 square kilometres of territory, including Alsace and Lorraine, made the resumption of normal jewellery production seem frivolous. Instead many silversmiths turned their hands to patriotic jewellery. These earrings mourn the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, surrounded by the chains which now confined them, with the terrible dates hanging below. Contemporary reports also add ivy leaves (for remembrance) and forget-me-nots, but it is not clear what the flowers on these earrings represent. They were put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where they were bought by the Museum for nine shillings (the pair). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1252&A-1873 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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