Sterling silver earring studs with the image of a lucky shamrock. Made with the impression of an antique wax letter seal. These earrings are very small and petite and perfect for wearing your 'lucky earrings' everyday.
These earrings are the impression of an antique wax letter seal. This seal was used to secure letters and correspondence in the nineteenth century. It is the tiniest seal that I have, yet the most beautiful by far. the handle is made from light blue chalcedony and the matrix is a handcarved amethyst.
The seal may be the most lovely, but the imprint it leaves behind is equally as sweet, and poignant. The seal dates from the early half of the 19th Century, around the time of Daniel O'Connell (The liberator, or The Emancipator) Daniel O'Connell succeeded in campaigning for Catholic Emancipation including the right for Catholics to sit in the Westminster Parliament, denied for over 100 years—and repeal of the Act of Union which combined Great Britain and Ireland.
Around this time Irish symbols and emblems of allegiance to Ireland's cause became popular and there are many wax seals to be found from this time featuring Irish emblems.
This particular one features a teeny tiny shamrock, complete with a tiny stalk and veins in the leaves. The carving is absolutely minute, but perfect.
The earrings are cast in sterling silver and this includes sterling ear posts and sterling silver butterfly backs. The front of the earrings measure approx. 6.2 mm in diameter. This is approximate however as each earring is made individually by hand and can vary slightly.
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Wax Seal Jewelry......
Each piece offered for sale is an imprint or cast of an antique wax seal from my personal collection. I use 100% sterling silver as this has the strength and durability needed for a piece of jewelry that is to be worn for years. All the jumps rings, clasps etc, are also sterling silver and each part is soldered, also for strength and durability. My intention is to make a piece that could become an heirloom too and for it to last generations.
Each piece is individually handmade and therefore no two pieces will be exactly the same, they will however be extremely similar. The mark of the maker has been purposely left on the casts. The signs of age, cracks and tool marks all add to the charm of the piece and are an intentional feature.
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