Antique Vintage Art Deco Retro Brass Italian Micro Mosaic Onyx Womens Earrings

Description

We have similar Micro Mosaic and Deco Retro items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Micro Mosaic" or "Deco Retro" under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing Description by: Megan E.
The Piece
Age Circa
: Retro C. 1940 - 1950
Markings
: "Italy" on the back of the earrings, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin
: Italy
Brand
: Unknown
Gram Weight
: 5.4 Grams
Metal Type
: Brass
Material
: --
Main Stone
: Onyx
Main Stone Measurements/Color
:
Mosaic size:
0.59" long and 0.61" wide
Colors
: Semi-translucent, light green, orange, green, white, and red hues
Accent Stone
: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color
: --
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts
: Carved inlay micro mosaic
Item Measurements
:
Length:
0.65" (from top to bottom)
Width:
0.33"
Depth:
0.64" (including clip-on backing)
Earring Style
: Cluster
Earring Backing Style
: Clip-on Backings. Your jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears
: Both
Notable Features
:
These exceptional earrings were handmade in Italy during the Deco Retro Era by carefully placing small pieces of onyx together to form a micro mosaic
Each hand-cut piece of onyx was glued on individually in the pietra dura style to emulate a lovely floral design in a heart motif shape
Made in the Roman Grand Tour revival style of colorful stones and complex pieces
Single-rope border holds the micro mosaic in place with a subtle bezel setting
Damage
: Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Art Deco era is famous for being the "Gatsby" or "Roaring Twenties" era. A lot of gorgeous and timeless designs in jewelry came out of this period. Jewelry from this period was most often crafted between 1920 and 1940. Art Deco jewelry sometimes featured white gold or platinum, geometric designs, European cut diamonds, filigree, and calibre cut stones that are specifically cut to fit the design of the piece. During the Art Deco period jewelers often made jewelry upon custom order, this would often take weeks to months to completely craft by hand.
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
Pietra dura, Italian for “hard stone”, is a mosaic inlay technique which uses polished and cut stones to create an image, which is often highly detailed. The highest quality pietra dura pieces resemble paintings. This method first appeared in Rome during the 16th century and fine-tuned during the Renaissance period by the famous Medici family. The stones are first assembled, loose, and then meticulously glued one-by-one to a surface to create an image. Artists often used colored stones, marble, semi-precious and precious stones, and even petrified wood.
Mosaic inlay is another Native American technique that uses the same process as stone to stone inlay; of flattened stones to create a design, except that it does not use sidewalls to complete the piece. Each design is secured into place on a metal base. This style is often used to create stunning stone fetishes and abstract tribal pieces.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
First Class
: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
: .00 fully insured, overnight delivery
International
: All packages are sent via USPS and pricing is based on buyer location. Each customer will receive a revised invoice at the close of the auction with an updated shipping rate. We will combine shipping on multiple purchases for free.
We do not undervalue packages for customs, please do not ask us to do so. What you pay is what we will claim on your customs form.
Please take this into consideration before placing your bid.
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