Description
Nineteenth-century earrings, so-called “stone bells” (three-piece earrings with a stone incorporated in the top and bottom parts) or “square bells” as worn in the Land of Cadzand (Zeeland). Made in 14 carat gold with a square filigree top set with a square faceted garnet, the triangular filigree centerpiece with two horns of plenty. Below a rectangular base set with a square faceted garnet. At the bottom four moving leaf-shaped pampels. Master's mark of J. Strijbis, Roosendaal (1822-1845).
Gold, silver and gilded regional jewelry was widely worn in the Netherlands in the 18th and 19th centuries. These earrings are not worn in the ear but on the lace hat - they are hooked into a loop on the inside and they hang along the cheeks in the front strip of the hat. Earrings have been attached to these "hat bells".
Netherlands, circa 1840