14K Yellow Gold Rose-Cut Diamond and Polychrome Enamel Holbeinesque Stud Earrings

Red and green, long celebrated as complementary colours, are brought together with fanciful flair in these lively Victorian Holbeinesque double design earrings, a jewel rich in historical romance and masterful craftsmanship. Hand fabricated in 14K gold, the earrings draw direct inspiration from Renaissance Revival jewels of the late 19th century, themselves influenced by the opulent courtly imagery captured in the works of Hans Holbein the Younger. On the face, the composition is arranged with a mosaic of nine glimmering rose cut diamonds of various shapes and sizes, each encircled by yellow gold hand hammered bezels. The total diamond weight is 1.25 carats. 

The reverse reveals an equally captivating surface, embellished with richly detailed floral motifs rendered in vibrant red, white, and green polychrome enamel. Delicate green enamel accents “kiss” the sides of the studs of each stud, seamlessly uniting front and back in colour and artistry. This decorative enamel work, characteristic of Holbeinesque jewellery, reflects the Victorian fascination with Renaissance ornamentation and vivid, painterly surfaces. The earrings are fitted with french hinged backs and when on, lie in a diamond shape. A series of five small open circles line the two bottom sides of this diamond shape and each is enamelled in red. These jewels embody the grandeur, colour, and historical allure of Neo-Renaissance design, offering a wearable work of art that celebrates both sides of its story. Matching pendant 755992.

Polychrome enamel is a type of enamel decorated with multiple colours, derived from Greek words meaning "many colours," used to adorn items like jewellery, porcelain, and metalwork for vibrant, detailed designs, often mimicking precious stones or creating rich pictorial scenes through techniques like painted enamels (brushwork), champlevé (filling cavities), or cloisonné (metal wires). A "natural diamond" refers to a diamond crystal in its raw, rough state as found in nature, before any cutting or polishing.

"Holbeinesque" describes a Now-Renaissance/Renaissance Revival style, especially in Victorian jewellery (1860s–1900s), inspired by the opulent, detailed designs found in paintings by German artist Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543), featuring central gems, vibrant enamel work (like basse-taille, cloisonné), gold, and often suspended drops, reflecting the Tudor court's fashion. It signifies richness, historical glamour, and intricate craftsmanship, drawing from Holbein's portraits of Henry VIII's era.

• 14K yellow gold
• (18) rose-cut diamonds (1.25 ctw)
• Diamond clarity: I-1
• Diamond colour: H-I
• Gram weight is 12.3
• Measures approximately 2.1 cm from top to bottom
• Independently appraised value for insurance purposes: $11,395.00 (note: may not reflect selling price)

All items in the Estate Originals Collection are estate pieces created in years gone by. Although this item is in excellent condition, it could have some signs of its age and past enjoyment. The images shown are of the exact item you will receive.