French Antique Briquet Poissardes Dangle Earrings
French Antique Briquet Poissardes Dangle Earrings
These lovely regional earrings are known as "briquets" as they resembled steel flints used to make fires. Popular in the regions around le Dauphiné and Auvergne they evolved from poissardes, a style which earned it's name by being worn by the fishmonger's wives. Very old indeed, they hail from the first half of the 19th century. As they are small and delicate, it becomes rarer and rarer to find them in functional, wearable condition. Often they were too expensive to fix when broken and were smelted down, leaving very few pairs remaining.
Charming in style they give a real antique look, like a painting come to life. They feature rich and buttery rosy 18k gold which has a line of foil backed garnet paste set in a crimped bezel. They shine beautifully in the light. At the bottom are two dangling spheres.
Poissardes earrings are a fascinating and historically significant type of jewelry, offering a glimpse into the fashion and culture of 18th-century France and adding an authentic touch of vintage elegance to any wardrobe.
CONDITION NOTES:
One of the earrings has a soldering mark around the bottom where it was previously repaired. As these were worn and loved, they do have signs of age and use but nothing visible when worn and these imperfections contribute to the charm and character of the earrings, showcasing their history and the stories they carry from the past.
Material: 18 K gold with garnet paste
Weight: 2.38 g (together)
Period: late Georgian (early 1800s)
Size (Length): 1.2 in or 3.1 cm
Size (Width): .24 in or 0.6 cm
We are pleased to offer a layaway option in 2,3, or 4 monthly installments. You can message directly to set up a payment plan so that you can become the next owner of this beautiful piece of history.
All items in the shop are shipped with tracking and insurance within 48 hours of receiving an order. Items over 250 euros are shipped via Colissimo Express so that your item is in your hands as quickly as possible.
Please check all photos, descriptions, and measurements thoroughly. Contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.
For other Belle Epoque pieces, such as those in the last photo, please visit our shop:
www.belleepoquejewelers.etsy.com