Vintage Carved Horse Head Stud Earrings Appraisal
Category: Earrings
Description
A pair of vintage clip-on earrings featuring carved dark green stones set within a gold-toned metal frame. The stones, which appear to be jade or perhaps a similar deep green hardstone, are intricately carved to represent the heads of horses. The carvings are detailed, showing the mane, ears, and facial features of the horses. Each carved stone is set within a circular metal surround that is heavily textured with a twisted rope or coil design, giving it a vintage look. The metal has a bright, reflective gold tone. The backings visible indicate a clip-on style, common for earrings from earlier eras. There are no visible maker's marks or stamps in the image. The condition appears to be good, with no obvious chips or damage to the stones, and the metalwork seems intact. The texture and detail of the rope-like metalwork indicate a degree of craftsmanship. Based on the style and clip-on backing, they likely date from the mid to late 20th century. The overall impression is one of classic, perhaps Asian-inspired, vintage jewelry.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the image, these vintage clip-on earrings feature finely carved dark green stones, likely intended to represent jade or a similar hardstone, depicting horse heads. The detail in the carving suggests skilled craftsmanship. These stones are set within a gold-toned circular metal frame with a distinctive twisted rope or coil texture, indicative of a vintage aesthetic, likely mid to late 20th century based on the style and clip-on findings. The apparent condition is good, with no visible damage to the stones or metalwork in the image. Market demand for vintage jewelry, particularly pieces with natural stones and animal motifs, remains consistent. While these are likely costume or semi-precious pieces given the lack of visible marks and the gold tone rather than solid gold, the quality of the carving and the overall design gives them appeal. Rarity is difficult to assess without knowing the maker, but similar well-made vintage carved stone earrings appear occasionally in the market. The key factors impacting value are the perceived quality of the carving, the condition, and the desirability of the design. The metal being gold-toned rather than solid gold is a limiting factor. It is crucial to state that this appraisal is based solely on the provided image. I cannot definitively verify the authenticity of the stone as jade or confirm the metal composition without physical inspection and potentially testing (e.g., specific gravity test for the stone, metal testing). The presence of a maker's mark, only discoverable through in-person examination, would significantly impact value and authenticity confirmation. Provenance documentation would also be valuable.
Appraisal Value
$75-150