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- Antique Southern Italian Gold Filigree Earrings, with Crescent Moon Charms
Antique Southern Italian Gold Filigree Earrings, with Crescent Moon Charms
Antique Southern Italian Gold Filigree Earrings, with Crescent Moon Charms
Love, Italian-Style
Picture this -- we are gazing into a jewelry display case in Rome, hunting for a piece that is distinctively Italian and worthy to bring back to the shop. In the way back, nearly hidden away, this pair of dimensional gold filigree earrings from Southern Italy quietly beckoned. We were immediately charmed. We adore so called "peasant" or regional jewelry -- the beloved heirlooms worn by generations of "ordinary" women across social classes, telling the stories of their origins and the milestones of their lives.
This particular pair is from Southern Italy — likely Sicily or Sardinia. A similar example can be seen in the collection of the Italian "peasant" jewelry gathered by Signor Castellani for the International Exhibition of 1867 in Paris (now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London). See and read more about the V&A earrings here: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O185650/earring-unknown/.
These earrings are convertible -- the bottoms are removable, so feel free to wear only the tops or the entire ensemble, as the mood strikes. We do love it best full length, with the crescent moon amulets flirtatiously dancing and reflecting light. For millennia in this region, the crescent (or horned) moon protected against the evil eye, calling upon the powers of the goddess Diana, who remained popular even after Christianity came to the Roman Empire. How could these be more Italian, more tempting?
PS -- Dare we say we prefer our pair to the one sourced by Signor Castellani? That pair has dangling star charms, and we prefer our crescent moons!
Marked with worn and unidentified marks at one of the earring wires.
14k gold.
Dimensions and weight:
● 68 mm long (including earring wire)
● 16 mm wide/deep
● 8.8 grams (total)
Period: 19th/Early 20th Century
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present. Note that the closures are “back to front”, with a tiny hook that passes through the back of the ear lobe to the front. The hook is then latched through a loop at the front of the earring.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.
Love, Italian-Style
Picture this -- we are gazing into a jewelry display case in Rome, hunting for a piece that is distinctively Italian and worthy to bring back to the shop. In the way back, nearly hidden away, this pair of dimensional gold filigree earrings from Southern Italy quietly beckoned. We were immediately charmed. We adore so called "peasant" or regional jewelry -- the beloved heirlooms worn by generations of "ordinary" women across social classes, telling the stories of their origins and the milestones of their lives.
This particular pair is from Southern Italy — likely Sicily or Sardinia. A similar example can be seen in the collection of the Italian "peasant" jewelry gathered by Signor Castellani for the International Exhibition of 1867 in Paris (now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London). See and read more about the V&A earrings here: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O185650/earring-unknown/.
These earrings are convertible -- the bottoms are removable, so feel free to wear only the tops or the entire ensemble, as the mood strikes. We do love it best full length, with the crescent moon amulets flirtatiously dancing and reflecting light. For millennia in this region, the crescent (or horned) moon protected against the evil eye, calling upon the powers of the goddess Diana, who remained popular even after Christianity came to the Roman Empire. How could these be more Italian, more tempting?
PS -- Dare we say we prefer our pair to the one sourced by Signor Castellani? That pair has dangling star charms, and we prefer our crescent moons!
Marked with worn and unidentified marks at one of the earring wires.
14k gold.
Dimensions and weight:
● 68 mm long (including earring wire)
● 16 mm wide/deep
● 8.8 grams (total)
Period: 19th/Early 20th Century
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present. Note that the closures are “back to front”, with a tiny hook that passes through the back of the ear lobe to the front. The hook is then latched through a loop at the front of the earring.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.
