A pair of antique enamel and pearl earrings, the openwork panel drops incorporating ribbon bow and brid motifs, decorated back and front with polychrome enamel, suspending a fringe of graduated pearl drops, untested and unwarranted, and set with a green paste highlight, some damage and later fittings, in a later, semi fitted case, length excluding fittings 51mm. £500-700

These earrings are thought to date from the 18th century and are probably Continental, possibly Italian. There remains disagreement and uncertainty about the dates attributed to much pre 19th century jewellery of similar designs, with earlier pieces reworked and repaired and styles reinterpreted in later centuries.