Rare and glorious pair of Stuart crystal* earrings, dating from the 17th century, created in silver and gold. The earring tops are rectangular, stepped, faceted table-cut crystals, closed-back and bezel set with rosy, red foils, love tokens topped with gold cyphers—all visible through the crystals. The original earwires are gold, which go into the ear from the back, each has a stop, or wig ear, to keep the earring upright on the ear. A link at the bottom of the top crystal holds a baroque pearl drop. Approximate measurement is 1 ⅜” overall; the rectangular crystal is 9x10mm, and the pearl drops measure 1” top to bottom, and 14mm at their widest point. These are rare, stunning Stuart crystal earrings.

Price: $3400

*Stuart crystals have fascinated lovers of antique jewelry for many years, and for good reason. These beautiful gems were initially created in 1649, when King Charles I, the martyred King of England, was executed under Cromwell’s rule. People loyal to the Stuart monarchy (Royalists) wished to memorialize their lost King, to show their support and sympathy, by wearing slides, pendants, rings, earrings or cufflinks with his initials, crowns, or a likeness of the fallen King, set in gold or silver under a crystal. Thus they became known as Stuart crystals, as they were commemorative of King Charles I, of the House of Stuart. Royalists opposed Charles I’s execution, believing that he was God’s chosen leader, and feeling that his death was not justice, but murder. Later in the 17th century, the crystals were worn by Jacobites against the deposition of James II and the Stuart monarchy in 1688. Showing support for fallen monarchs was dangerous, so many Stuart crystals were diminutive and were worn secretly.

These amazing pieces of jewelry were made up of clear, faceted rock crystals, enclosing  love tokens (pieces of ribbon, cloth, or hair), with initials (sometimes the King’s monogram) worked in fine gold wire into cyphers on top, and a foil backing (rose, pink, red, silver, sometimes blue or green, in color). The whole mounting was closed-back set in silver or gold. This did not open but was rubbed over the crystal or sealed in a crimped manner.

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