I get a little thrill every time I come across an intact, matched set of jewelry. It doesn't matter if it's a large suite of matching jewels, or a smaller demi-parure consisting of a few pieces, like this one. For matching pieces to have survived to the modern age without being split up always seems like a little miracle. Combine my love for matching sets with my love for the intricate, ornate silver jewelry of the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century, and you have something truly special. This little set, consisting of a locket pin and a pair of earrings, is just perfect in every way. The sheer depth of details is almost overwhelming! The pin, which has a picture locket compartment in the back, has a large rose on a branch as its central motif, surrounded by an engraved border. Around this is a ring of stars embossed within circles, joined by geometric shapes and small punched trefoils. The edge of the brooch bears a scalloped pattern with large silver balls or granules. The earrings echo this design, with a rosebud on each one, surrounded by stars and a matching scalloped and granulated edge. Miraculously, the earrings still have their original hooks! This is usually the first thing to need repair or replacement on antique earrings. This style of silver jewelry was especially popular in England during the late 1800s, though none of the pieces have any hallmarks, so I can't say for sure where they were made. There are no silver stamps, but they are made of sterling silver.
Both the pin and earrings are in excellent condition, with a few small dents appropriate for their age. The hinge on the pin appears to be a repair or replacement, and the locket compartment has a piece of clear plastic instead of what would have been its original glass (though the silver bezel is original). The pin measures 2" by 1 5/8", and the earrings measure 1 1/4" long from the top of the hook, and 5/8" wide.
