gold regional earrings

A magnificent pair of antique gold filigree (or cannetille) regional Dutch earrings (or in Dutch: mutsenbellen, so called “bells”). The main motif of these skillfully made ornaments is the horn of plenty. Further embellished with flowers and shells which reference to the sea that surrounds the islands of the province of Zeeland. These early 19th-century ornaments once were part of the rich jewelry tradition of that region in the South of The Netherlands. They used to be worn at your Sunday best, and gained a status function in the 19th century, expressing the wealth of the owner. Interestingly, their value was not expressed by the amount of gold used for the earrings (which was relatively small because these earrings were mainly composed of gold thread), but in the hours spent on making this complicated lace work. Sometimes they were worn as part of white lace bonnets; in the 20th century, when regional costumes went out of fashion, many of these “bells” were transformed into earrings. And the lady who commissioned these earrings was rich, because it is the largest pair of regional earrings I have ever seen. They perfectly show off the exquisite character of traditional Dutch craftsmanship, circa 1822.

weight: 15.4 grams
size: 10 x 3.7 cm.