These earrings' style is known as poissarde, which translates from French as "fishwife". It's possible they're named for the female fish sellers who allegedly wore them while selling their goods in the Paris market of Les Halles. The alternate explanation (more believable & less fun) is that they are named for the vaguely fish hook shape. These rare poissarde earrings feature back-to-front earwires and two hair lockets (with hairwork belonging to two separate people!). No assay marks, but most likely they are of French origin.
thedetails
- Materials
14k gold (tests), hair, glass
- Age
c. 1800
- Condition
Very good
- Size
1 1/4" length, 3/4" depth, lockets are 3/8" in diameter
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