Earring
ca. 1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Elements of the design and the colours used in these earrings are Indian but the construction could be European. In terms of the design, the central stones are not of equal size and shape but this would matter less in an Indian market. The discrepancy could also be explained if the earrings were adapted from another piece of jewellery.
Visitors to the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 greatly admired the Indian jewellery. Its rich appearance was achieved by combining enamelled gold with dense settings of pearls and thinly cut coloured stones.
By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.
Visitors to the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 greatly admired the Indian jewellery. Its rich appearance was achieved by combining enamelled gold with dense settings of pearls and thinly cut coloured stones.
By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled gold, brilliant-cut diamonds, rubies, pearls |
| Brief description | Pair of earrings, enamelled gold set with diamonds, rubies, and pearls,India or England, about 1860 |
| Physical description | Pair of earrings, enamelled gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, rubies, and pearls. Probably adapted from pendants to match the necklace M.136-1951 |
| Credit line | Cory Bequest |
| Object history | Probably adapted from pendants to match the necklace M.136-1951 |
| Summary | Elements of the design and the colours used in these earrings are Indian but the construction could be European. In terms of the design, the central stones are not of equal size and shape but this would matter less in an Indian market. The discrepancy could also be explained if the earrings were adapted from another piece of jewellery. Visitors to the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 greatly admired the Indian jewellery. Its rich appearance was achieved by combining enamelled gold with dense settings of pearls and thinly cut coloured stones. By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.136A&B-1951 |
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| Record created | August 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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