French Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Earrings 18k Gold Black Button Jet ? Mourning Dangle Dormeuse Belle Epoque

ABOUT:

Beautiful French antique 18k gold dangle earrings with black stones that serve as the little buttons with a gorgeous satin finish. I am not sure how to figure out the fabrication - if they are onyx, glass or perhaps French Jet?

This is an antique pair of earrings from the Belle Epoque era that I acquired in France. They are hallmarked with the French hallmarks for 18k gold. They have a beautiful patina from age, with a warm slightly rosy glow.

These earrings are called "dormeuse" in French which translates to "sleeper", meant to be dainty and small, comfortable enough to sleep in, used in olden times to keep the ear holes open overnight : ) Of course these days we don't recommend all night 24/7 wear on these antique pieces with intricate 100 year old gold hinges. They are inserted from the back towards the front, with the hooked ear wire hooking into the little rivet detail atop the front of the earring.

Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos, especially with the zoomed images that I am required to present for detail.

MEASUREMENTS

They dangle about 15mm and the pendant part of the earring is 8.5mm wide.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

SOCIAL:
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All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).