Simply the best, these French, oval, rock crystal earrings are circa 1800. Finding large, reflective early earrings are difficult enough in paste, but finding them in rock crystal is very rare. They are foil back and set in sterling, hand crimped collets, radiating light with every movement. They were formally buttons, and I can only imagine the grandeur when worn on a cuff in the year 1800. They were converted to earrings by the addition of 18 karat, pale rose gold shepherd hooks.
The rarity of a beautifully proportioned oval in fine condition distinguishes this pair. They have a black dot in the center to simulate the culate of a diamond. The graceful, bulbous back adds beauty when viewed at an angle.
They measure 7/8ths inches long from the top of the wire. The crystals alone measure 5/8ths inches long X 1/2 inch wide.