War, despite its destruction, often brings about innovation. Gold and precious items were donated to the efforts of the Napoleonic Wars early in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Jewelers were clever to invent cannetille work to continue producing their wares with as little metal as possible. Cannetille was a delicate and lacy form of gold work which employed sparse quantities of gold yet appeared substantial.

Tiny threads of gold spiral and coil in a tower form to embellish and decorate. These torpedo-shaped earrings were created around 1830-1840.

Spun of 15k bright yellow gold, these have an unusual feature of flat spirals of precious metal with a centered granule.

Long, yet light, they elongate the face and this type of earring is a Three Graces’ favorite.

The color is magnificent being a rich bright warm yellow gold. Refer to the book, “Earrings from Antiquity to the Present” but Triossi & Mascetti on pages 92-93 for similar examples.

Comes with an oval antique box, not original to the earrings.