A beautiful pair of antique French "poissardes" (transl. "fishwife") earrings. Their name is said to come from either a the female fish sellers who allegedly wore them while selling their goods in Paris markers or, more likely, from their fish hook shape. This example is set with rare "Perpignan" garnets.
This particular kind of garnet is native to Perpignan, the Catalan region in the south of France, and were mined between the 17th-20th centuries. Integral to Catalonian culture, these striking scarlet garnets epitomised Meditteranean passion, believing to help cure blood disorders and excessive anger.
These mid-1800s earrings were crafted in 18k gold and hallmarked with both a maker's mark and eagle head gold hallmark. They measure about 28mm from top to bottom and have a combined weight of 4.5g. They are in wonderful antique condition. You will receive the pictured earrings.
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