18th century Portuguese topaz pendeloques

An elegant pair of Portuguese colourless topaz pendeloque earrings, circa 1780. In the 18th century, the Ouro Preto region of Minas gerais became a major source of topaz for Portuguese jewellery. This form of earring was a favourite design, with an almond shaped upper section and articulated pendants suspended from ribbons tied into bow-knots. The earrings are set with colourless topaz in foiled, closed back settings, the gems close set to achieve the effect of brilliance and light. The gold bead detail is typical of Portuguese work from the era. The gold ear wires are later. They are 3 and 1/8 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide across the bow section. Fine quality and immaculate. For similar see Plate 151 in Five Centuries of Jewellery, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon.

£2900