Earring

Traditional jewellery often followed out-dated aristocratic examples. Many Spanish traditional earrings were based on 17th and 18th century patterns, but over time local differences became fixed, and patterns became characteristic of a particular place.

Long narrow earrings like this are typical of Barcelona. They usually have red pastes or foiled crystal, but these are set with mirrored glass, an unusual technique which was often used in 19th century Spanish traditional jewellery. The goldsmith has angled the settings to look like cut steel, or tiny faceted precious stones.