Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Turkey (made) Balkans (made) -
Subject
Jewellery Metalwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 31.7cm, Width: 4cm, Depth: 1.3cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
580-1868
Record ID
580-1868
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
Earrings were popular among all the Slav peoples, from Russia to the Balkans. Women frequently hooked the wires into their headdress, just behind the ear, rather than into the ear lobe itself, because of the weight. The circular wire and hinged pendants with coral beads on this earring are characteristic of traditional earrings throughout the Slav region. It was described as modern Turkish work, when the V&A acquired it in 1867, but was probably made in the Balkans. As much of the Balkans was still part of the Ottoman Empire at the time, this is not a contradiction. Originally it was part of a pair, joined by a silver chain. A few links of this chain still remain, attached to the top of the earring. Slav earrings are often joined together by a long chain, which hangs under the chin. It was bought for £2 3s. 4d. (the pair) at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Silver gilt with applied filigree decoration, with corals, stones and pastes, and chain Silver-Gilt Coral Paste Filigree
Fiziksel açıklama
Hoop earring with decorative plate at the front set with a red stone, with a pendant of three plaques below it, hanging down vertically below each other, increasing in size and ending in a pendant amethyst-coloured stone. All parts are decorated with applied granules or rings of twisted wire, red and green pastes, and pendants of turquoise paste and coral beads. Short length of figure-of-eight chain attached, with ring of twisted wire round the centre of each link.
