Decorative arts — 1867
Earring
One of a pair of earrings, part of a demi-parure including a brooch. The earring is gold, set with a shell cameo. Cut in fine detail, it depicts a classical female in profile, looking to the right, with an owl in front of her. The owl may symbolise night or death, as the matching earring depicts a woman with an eagle, representing dawn or birth. The two together may be intended to signify the beginning and the end, but this popular decorative motif may not have carried such a portentous message.
The demi-parure was made by Herman Wehrfritz, a jeweller of Clerkenwell and Holborn. He made the jewels for his wife in the 1860s, and his daughter donated them to the museum. The original case is dated 1867.
- Category:
- Decorative arts
- Object ID:
- 47.33/3
- Object name:
- earring
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Wehrfritz, Herman
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Production date:
- 1867
- Material:
gold, shell
- Measurements/duration:
- L 48 mm, W 22 mm, T 8 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.