Description This is an exceptional pair of original hand carved Whitby Jet Cameo earrings. The female faces are very prominent with beautiful detail and hair ornamentation of grapes and vine leaves. The earrings are carved in three separate sections, the main cameo drop attached to a swivel half link with the hooks attached on a closed circle. The hooks are a gold coloured metal that hasn’t been tested. The faceted sides are engraved with a fern design and three leaves are carved above the faces. Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria demanded that society ladies adhere to strict dress code of all black attire, including jewellery. It was during this period that Whitby Jet became a very popular material for mourning jewellery. It is formed from ancient wood dating back to the Jurassic period and is unique to the area of Whitby in North Yorkshire, hence the name. Whitby Jet must not be confused with French jet which is simply black glass and often used to imitate the real thing. The earrings measure 5.5cm in length (excluding the hooks) x 2.5cm at the widest point. The total length including the hooks measures 6.5cm. The overall condition is excellent with only the tiniest chip to the top of one of the closed circles. This is the finest pair of Whitby Jet earrings I have personally come across in the 40 years of dealing in antiques.
