French Napoléon III era Day and Night earrings c.1860

These are a pair of French Napoléon III era day and night earrings crafted entirely in 18k gold, adorned with black enamel and set with diamonds. Day and night earrings became popular in the 18th century, characterized by their two-part construction, with the lower dangling component being detachable. This design allows the smaller upper part to be worn alone during the day, while the lower dangling component can be added for evening events, such as balls, to enhance their elegance and allure. The earrings feature a front-to-back system.

The earrings boast a luxurious black and gold color scheme, a classic design of the Napoléon III era. Jewelry during this period was characterized by symmetrical forms and rich decorative patterns, exuding a magnificent imperial style.

The central part of the upper component features diamonds surrounded by black enamel decoration, presenting a striking pattern of balanced dots. The detachable lower component is adorned with three-dimensional ribbon-like lines, enhancing the beauty of the center diamonds. These lines feature delicate floral patterns, adding to the overall lavishness of the design.

The item is in good antique condition, exhibiting typical oxidation and signs of wear, with some areas showing more pronounced wear and minor enamel loss. As assessing the condition of an item can be subjective, please click and zoom in on our photos to examine more details for your judgment.