Museal Antique Moretti Earrings, Renaissance, Table-cut Rubies, Venetian Jewelry

We are offering for sale a pair of original, museum-quality, and extremely rare figurative drop earrings depicting traditional Venetian “Moretti” (Moorish heads). These figures are masterful original works dating from the late Renaissance/early Baroque period (early 17th century, circa 1600–1620) and originate from the Republic of Venice. This pair is not a 19th-century historicist reproduction, but an authentic example of Renaissance goldsmithing that reflects Venice’s historic trade with the East. It is virtually impossible to find a comparable pair on the open market whose figures have remained in their original, intact condition.

Historical and technical aspects:

Hand-cast and hand-chiseled with great expressiveness.

Their distinctive and original sculptural form attests to their early 17th-century origin.

The box setting: the stones are set in heavy, closed gold casings, the edges of which were hand-hammered over the facets of the stones (a traditional technique of the Baroque period) to secure them.

The enamel work: the elements of the turban display a characteristic, irregular coloration ranging from light blue to green; the wear due to age and the pigmentation are entirely authentic.

The clasps: replaced and hallmarked: the original, very thick metal wires were replaced in the 19th century with period clasps to ensure safe wear.

Table cut: The red stone has a perfectly flat upper surface. Slight asymmetries along the edges are clearly visible. This is evidence that the stone was faceted over 400 years ago on a rotating grindstone.

The thick, irregular, and heavy box setting was undoubtedly crafted by hand using traditional techniques.

During the Historicist period, stones of this type were cut with a rasp and finely chiseled.

The earrings weigh 5.24 grams.

Earring height: 20 mm

The shipment is insured for a high value.