Gold Hemispherical Earrings

India (Jaipur), 19th century

Height: 6.5 cm
Diameter: 2.4 cm

A pair of gold, enamelled and gem-set earrings of hemispherical form, each earring consisting of a gold hemisphere set with cabochon emeralds and white sapphires, suspended from a large openwork eight-petalled flower-head set with white sapphires. Each hemisphere has a fringe of pearls, and suspended from the centre of the bell-form are two circular discs of diminishing size also fringed with pearls to create an elaborate triple-tiered structure.

The large flower-heads above are enamelled on the reverse with floral designs of red flowers and green leaves against a white ground. A splendid and extravagant touch is a long string of delicate seed pearls that dangles from the back of each flower-head that swings and trembles with each nod of the head or movement of the body of the wearer.