Victorian Gold Snake Earrings with Banded Agate Drops

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Victorian Gold Snake Earrings with Banded Agate Drops

About the Item

Quite special and hard to find, these lovely Victorian Snake - Serpent earrings are striking and easy to wear. Crafted of gold testing at 14K to 18K for me (there could be some 9K gold, as well, but I don't want to do a very deep scratch test), each earring features a wonderful ear wire with a charming snake motif, with banded agate sphere drops and gold acorn like dangles suspended below. I'm not sure that these banded agate orbs are original to the snakes and dangles - they may have had different agates originally. However, they very much fit the period and I love the rich black meets chocolate brown and white coloration. The Snake ear wires are just fabulous. Classically Victorian in their stylized design, with rich high karat color and very elegant, the ear wires are in very good original condition and could even be removed from the drops, should you wish to combine them with other dangles. Each banded agate sphere is approximately 12.2 mm in diameter (one a wee bit larger than the other) with dynamic and very graphic coloration. Depending on the lighting conditions, they look more black or deep brown, with a warmer brown adjacent to the white bands. Both retain their nice, glossy finishes, but do show some old repair/alterations at the top and bottom where the gold caps are placed. (one indication they may be old replacements) One is drilled a little off center at the bottom, which can be seen from the side. Measuring approximately 12.2 mm long, the acorn like dangles are really lovely, with an ornamental design along their tops that make me think of acorn caps. Really sweet - and their rich bloomed color goes beautifully with that of the Serpents and complements the deep brown coloration of the agate. In total length, the earrings measure approximately 2 inches, with a total weight for the pair of 8.10 grams. While no longer in pristine condition, they are still splendid and ready to enjoy.

Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Agate
Stone Cut:
Bead
Weight:
8.1 g
Dimensions:
Length: 2 in (50.8 mm)
Style:
Victorian
Place of Origin:
Unknown
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850 to 1860
Condition:
Additions or alterations made to the original: I believe the banded agate spheres are old replacements, most likely. There is some wear/signs of alteration at the agate's bead caps. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Danvers, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU3614219656182