We have listed for you the different types of earrings found in antique jewellery in order to help you in your choice.
THE DORMEUSES
In 1855, M. Billiet filed a patent in Paris for dormeuses: small earrings whose hook penetrates the back of the lobe and locks in the front, thus completely closing the jewel.
As the name suggests, they were worn at night to prevent the holes in the lobes from closing. Today they are very common and are also often recommended for children because of their closure system which prevents them from getting lost.
Gold, platinum and diamond sleepers
THE HANGERS
Towards the end of the 18th century, earrings appeared. These are long earrings that can sometimes reach the shoulders. Earrings have hooks called "goosenecks" which arethreaded through the lobe. They are very easy to put on, but they can get lost just as easily, so think about adding small metal or even plastic prams.
In the 19th century, day/night earrings were common: during the day, women wore sleepers, and in the evening or for special occasions, they hung long, flat pendants. It is not uncommon today to see only these pendants for sale, because for the same pair of sleepers, a woman had several sets of pendants.
THE FISHERIES
This model has a semi-circular S-shaped fastening and an oval design that may be made of stones or enamelled plates. The name "poissardes" is said to have originated with the fish sellers who wore this type of earring in the 19th century, but it could also come from a play byAntoine-Francois Eve, known as Maillot.
Gold and enamel fishers
THE CREOLES
Did you know that the Creole people originated in Mesopotamia? They were said to have the gift of protecting the ears, the gateway to the spirits and the seat of intelligence...
Today, they remind us mainly of the West Indies, where women have been wearing these earrings for centuries. These earrings even became a sign of emancipation there, because according to tradition, the children of wealthy families thanked their nannies by giving them gold grains which they transformed into creoles.
Gold and cultured pearl hoop earrings
LES SAVOYARDES
Savoyardes originated in Savoie and Haute-Savoie in the 18th century. These earrings are in fact a kind of creole on a pendulum to which edelweiss style decorations are added for example.
They appeared during the Second Empire when the region was annexed to France. They were worn by the women of the region, the tarentaises.
Savoyard women are highly valued by the gypsy community and are now almost a part of their traditions.
LES GIRANDOLES
This earring appeared in the 17th century. Girandoles are earrings made up of an assembly of gems of three, and sometimes even five drops or pendants around a central piece.
THE BRIQUETS
A sort of miniature version of fishmongers, these earrings come from the Auvergne and the Dauphiné.
THE SABLAISES or BRISURES
In the Vendée, the portrait rings of the Sablaises (from Sables-d'Olonne) were traditionally decorated with cameos. These were mostly made of shell on silver mounts, but there are more precious models in agate and gold.
Two gold Sablaises and agate cameo
CHIPS / EAR STUDS
As one might imagine, stud earrings, also known as chips, are small stud earrings often set with diamonds and fastened with pushers or alpa clasps.