Larkspur & Hawk Antique Cut Steel & Paste Button Earrings Ca 1800

These earrings started their life as a part of a larger set of gentleman’s waistcoat buttons. When they were conceived, they would have been considered to be the height of fashion, employing the latest and most novel of materials. Cut steel, and paste are possibly the most unglamorous sounding descriptives for jeweled finery, but in actuality, together they glisten and shine!

Both materials came into popularity as the jewelry wearing population, who were attending nighttime parties all lit by candles, grew. Cut steel, small pieces of faceted steel that is riveted to a metal backing, has a tone and sparkle that could easily be mistaken for rose cut diamonds in a candlelit room– a truly ingenious feat! The cherry on top are the small colored paste stones, artfully arranged to provide the perfect color pop!

As was often the case with button earrings, buttons became earrings after waistcoat jewelry fell from style. Here, with their newly added gold earwires they are ready to continue living their best life while reminding us of high Georgian finery!

England, ca 1800