Art Deco Dragon Clip Earrings
A wonderfully unusual pair of Art Deco-style clip earrings, each boldly modelled as a coiled dragon with wonderfully detailed scales, expressive features and a curled tail. Sculptural and full of character, they make a striking statement despite their relatively compact size.
Details
- Date: Circa 1920s–1930s [subject to confirmation]
- Period/Style: Art Deco
- Design: Pair of coiled dragons
- Material: Muted Gold Metal
- Colour: Warm silver / antiqued metallic finish
- Dimensions: 4 x 3cm
- Fastening: Clip-on fittings – suitable for non-pierced ears
- Construction: Modelled relief dragon design
- Origin: Art Deco
Condition
Great vintage condition, with gentle signs of age and wear consistent with their period.
The textured surfaces retain good definition, particularly around the dragons’ faces, scales and curled bodies. Areas of darker patination emphasise the sculptural detail.
Please refer closely to the photographs, which form part of the description.
History
Dragons and other fantastical creatures have appeared in jewellery for centuries, symbolising qualities including power, strength and protection in different cultures.
During the early twentieth century, jewellery designers increasingly embraced bold, stylised and exotic motifs. The Art Deco period in particular drew inspiration from a remarkably diverse range of historical and international sources, transforming them into highly decorative jewellery and fashion accessories.
Clip earrings became increasingly fashionable during the first half of the twentieth century, allowing women without pierced ears to wear increasingly dramatic and sculptural designs.
The tightly coiled bodies and wonderfully expressive heads of this pair give them an almost miniature-sculpture quality, making them as interesting as objects of design as they are pieces of jewellery.
Heritage House Note
These have enormous personality. We particularly love the wonderfully fierce little dragon faces and beautifully curled bodies. Unusual, theatrical and immensely wearable, they’re exactly the sort of vintage jewellery that starts a conversation.
