Georgian Sterling Silver Black Dot Paste Stud Earrings
A charming pair of Georgian sterling silver paste stud earrings, each set with a single round, hand-cut paste stone in a traditional silver setting.
The stones display the wonderfully irregular, characterful faceting associated with early paste jewellery. Particularly desirable is the black dot detail beneath the stones, a technique used to imitate the darkened culet seen in old-cut diamonds and to enhance the depth and brilliance of the paste.
Paste jewellery reached a particularly high level of craftsmanship during the Georgian period, when finely cut glass stones were mounted and foiled to capture candlelight in much the same way as precious gemstones. These earrings are a lovely, wearable example of that tradition.
Period: Georgian, circa late 18th–early 19th century Material: Sterling silver and faceted paste Detail: Traditional black-dot backed paste stones Style: Stud earrings Condition: Good antique condition, with age-related wear and patination consistent with their age.
Measuring 1cm each
A beautifully understated pair of early earrings, equally appealing to collectors of Georgian jewellery and as an unusual piece of antique jewellery to wear today.
