Antique Georgian Day Night Earrings 18k Gold Pearls Diamond Enamel Mourning(6089)

Antique Georgian Charles X long earrings / ear pendants. 18k yellow gold, natural pearls, black enamel and small diamonds. Made in France circa 1825. 

Measurements: Earrings are approximately 2 1/8 inch (5.5cm) long, not including the wires. Weigh 6.0 grams. 

Description: A pair of long, pendant earrings. Long drops can be removed from the surmounts, which can be worn more simply by day. At night, the long drops can be replaced by simply looping them over the wires of the surmounts and thus worn for more elegant attire. Earrings like this are known as 'Top/drop or day/night' because the surmounts (tops), can be worn alone by day and the pendant (drops), added at night for a more elegant look.
The earrings are long and rectangular with delicate open goldwork giving a light and elegant appearance. Stepped gold mounts surround a rectangular black enamel drop and a square black enamel top. Both top and drop are adorned with additional fine gold detail in the form of scrolls and fruit which add visual interest and give a longer, more open and airy look to the design. Under the tops there are minute flowers. The black enamel grounds of both top and drops are set in the middle with a flower composed of small seed pearls raised in a silver collette. The center of each flower includes a tiny rose cut diamond, so small as to be barely visible - just providing a subtle gleam from the midst of the pearls. Wires are inserted from the back of the earlobe to the front of the ear lobe, typical of antique earrings, and are comfortable to wear. 

The shiny black enamel gleams and catches the eye. Today, we think of black as the ultimate in sophisticated elegance, but at the time, it was also worn as a symbol of mourning. There were strict rules on wearing mourning jewelry for a given period of time after the loss of loved ones. 

Marks: there are a number of hallmarks on each earring: the loops are hallmarked and the wires of the tops have both the makers mark and the ram's head, which indicates Paris 1819 - 1838. 

Condition: considering the age of this set, the condition is amazing. Black enamel has no chips/cracks/damage of any sort. Please see enlarged 'photos and do not hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.