Antique Silver Paste Set Floral Drop Earrings

An antique pair of paste set drop earrings. Silver set, early…
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An antique pair of paste set drop earrings. Silver set, early 20th century, presented as ornate floral inspired drop earrings, set throughout each foliate panel of graduating size colourless foil back paste stones, terminating in a final large floral cluster, completed with rose gold pierced hooks.

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  • Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
  • Paste / Rhinestone / Diamante - Paste (or rhinestone or diamante) is the name given to a coloured glass composition used for imitation gemstones, or to imitation gemstones made of glass.

    Although the technique of glassmaking had been known for thousands of years, but it wasn't until a lead glass with similar optical properties to diamonds were invented by a German jeweller working in Paris (either "Stras" or 'Strasser") in the early 18th century that "paste" gemstones became popular.

    There was no social stigma attached to wearing imitation stones, and they were worn in situations where highway robbery was a possibility. The 18th century settings were of very high quality, equivilent to real gemstone jewellery.

    In the nineteeth century the quality of paste jewellery declined and it has remained the poor cousin to genuine gemstones ever since.

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