Pietra Dura Dove Earrings

In the world of antique jewelry, Pietra Dura is one of my greatest loves. Artfully crafted examples like this are becoming more and more difficult to find. The name translates literally from “hard stone.” Inlaid jewelry has existed for millennia and it was especially popular during the Victorian era as souvenir jewelry from "The Grand Tour" of Italy.

These earrings each feature symmetrical images of a dove in flight, carrying a morning glory flower, complete with sweetly crafted heart-shaped leaves. The dove and blossom are fashioned from bright white stone, which is beautifully contrasted by the black onyx backdrop into which they are set. The pietra dura slabs are square in shape and framed in a golden bezel with delicate milgrain accents, and the earrings attach via gold posts at the center of the back of the earring. The frame and post of the earrings are 14 karat gold and the backs are 10 karat gold, with a “stabilizer” profile to help position the earrings to sit straight up on the earlobe.

The Victorians adored symbolism and many parts of their lives were rife with double meanings and representations, especially when it came to the depiction of flowers and animals, the first of which had an entire language (flower language or floriography.) These earrings are an example of Victorian mourning jewelry: the doves in flight symbolize the soul or spirit in flight to heaven (they can also represent the Holy Spirit) and morning glories (clutched in each dove’s beak) symbolize love and affection and the fleeting nature of life.

More details:

Pietra dura plaques measure 16.9mm in diameter, gold bezels 1.9mm wide; earrings in total measure 20.7mm high and 20.7mm wide.

Excellent condition

14k gold frames (tested) and 10k gold friction backs (stamped.)

9.4 grams

All purchases arrive in a gift box, wrapped with a ribbon.