Earring

Earring, part of a set including a matching earring, necklace and pair of bracelets, 31.133/4, 31.133/1, 31.133/2 and 31.133/3. It consists of a hanging woven plaque of minute opaline glass and faceted steel beads attached to 8 strings of similar beads.
The earring fittings of hinged gold are of the type in use in England at the end of the 18th century. The very fine beadwork resembles that used for French sablé-work purses, chatelaines and other accessories from the mid 18th century. However, the beads are approximately twice the size of the sablé-work beads, suggesting that this might be amateur work (See Foster, 1982, 22).
English bags and purses made of milky white steel beads date from the early 19th century. The donor, Mrs. Falcke, was a noted collector of 18th century Wedgwood jasperware pieces, many examples of which were set in steel mounts.