Antique Art Nouveau Earrings 14k Gold long dangling repousse Lily Leaves (7059)

Antique Art Nouveau earrings ear pendants. 14k gold. Origin unknown - possibly USA or UK.

Measurements: Weight is 8.5 grams. 2 1/4 inches (6cm) long.

Description : Long ear pendants. An upper surmount in a rounded kite-shape is linked to the elongated, torpedo shaped drops via links that allow the drops to swing and sway as the wearer moves. The earrings have an extremely rich design of repousse lily leaf foliage in deep relief. Surfaces are further embellished by varying textures and minute bright cut engraving along some border. All parts and aspects of the earrings seem to fold over one another in a very sensuous design. The bottoms of the drops are semi circles of gold with small leaves winding upwards around their very bottoms. A little further up, a pair of lily leaves overlap one another and a round globe of gold, itself embellished with raised foliage with a textured surface and engraved detail. Similar folding organic structures lead up to the surmount which also include a pair of lily leaves over a globe. This type of foliate decoration is typical of the Art Nouveau movement and design ethic. Lilies were hugely symbolic, including of devotion, motherhood, purity and rebirth. Original wires of the earrings were replaced early in the 20th century with posts with little screw-on butterfly catches. Earrings look very impressive when worn and have a lovely sense of movement. As wearable today as they were over 100 years ago. Suitable for every outfit from jeans to a dinnerparty.

Marks and Metal: gold was acid tested to ensure purity. It stays very strongly for 14k.

Condition: Good with minor wear commensurate with age. Tiny, negligible dings mentioned only for the sake of total accuracy. The posts were a later addition and have signs of solder. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.