A Modern Twist on Antique Earring Design

Ever-inspiring, the classic jewelry designs of the past continue to influence contemporary jewelers today. Two pairs of earrings by Hemmerle in Sotheby’s upcoming Geneva Magnificent Jewels & Noble Jewels sale illustrate such inspiration superbly.

The first pair of earrings takes a cue from one of the oldest earring designs, the ‘girandole’. A centuries-old standby for jewelry design, the origin of this classic earring style emerged arose from the influx of faceted gems from the booming gem cutting industry beckoned for innovative ways to display the sparkling wonders. Rudimentary hoop earrings soon suspended pear-shaped pendants, eventually evolving into the much more complex three-drop ‘girandole’.