Georgian Era Double Halo Paste Earrings

Georgian era double halo white paste earrings. Paste stones are set in silver with gold posts. Originally Georgian era buttons. Circa 1790. English in Origin.

1" across in length.

Paste stones are made from highly refractive leaded glass. Rare and specialized skills were required to cut and set the stones. With the advantage of being cut into forms that would be prohibitive in precious gems, marvelous creations were made. In France and England, paste was accepted as an art in its own right and worn in the highest circles. It is known that both Madame du Barry and Marie Antoinette owned elaborate paste pieces. Today, fashion moguls and style mavens count their 200-year-old paste jewels among their current favorites.