This pair of antique earrings was crafted by hand around the late 1700s in France from 14 karat yellow gold boasting beautifully-faceted, clear paste stones with a light blue hue, and exquisite wirework. 'Poissardes', which translates from French as "fishwife", are a unique type of earrings believed to have been worn by female fish sellers in Paris around 1790 until about the 1810s, and they have an elongated hoop design. The earrings are often set with some ornaments and sometimes set with stones, like these beautiful earrings. They always have a S-shaped fish hook style, which go on through the back of the ear and fasten in the front. The beauty of the glittering paste stones is perfectly complemented by the very fine combination of cannetille and filigree work seen all throughout the earring, made with thin wires of metal coiled into various scroll and swirling shapes, while hand-applied flowers and granulation also cover the top, some dangling disks, and the pair is complete with a zig-zag border. The craftsmanship is superb and no detail was spared in the making of this rare pair of earrings. The earrings show some sign of wear, commensurate with their old age, and their posts cannot be converted at this time.

• Measurements: 2 inches long by 1 inch wide 

Inventory # P13037