This late 18th century Iberian bow with a pear shaped pendant is modeled in gold and set with rose cut diamonds. Now a pendant, this piece was almost certainly an element of an earring - known as “pendeloque” - that came into fashion at the tail end of the 1700s. Ever so slightly simpler in style that the girandole earrings that preceded them, pendeloque earrings are typically formed with a cluster of sorts at the top, a bow-themed element in the middle, and a pendant at the base.
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests), rose cut diamonds, new 14k gold chain
AGE: c. 1780
CONDITION: Very good - it's likely that this piece was a component of a larger piece of jewelry
SIZE: 1 1/2" length including the bale, 7/8" at the widest point, 18" chain