A PAIR OF LATE XVIII CENTURY SPANISH CATALAN EARRINGS

A PAIR OF LATE XVIII CENTURY SPANISH CATALAN EARRINGS, the foil back garnets set in articulated 18ct gold panels, to post settings with butterflies, unmarked (Illustrated)

NB The herring (imitating the fish shape) earring (in Catalan, arracada d'arengada), is the name given to this traditional style, typical of late XVIIIth and early XIXth century Catalonia. Generally crafted with detachable elements which allowed them to be either shortened or lengthened, depending on the importance of the occasion. Herring earrings were marriage tokens given as a promise token, wearing both at full length indicated that the owner was married