Modernist Mixed Metal Celestial Crescent Moon Earrings

This is a pair of handcrafted dangle earrings featuring a modernist celestial design. Each earring is composed of two overlapping circular elements: a darkened copper or bronze-tone disk in the background and a contrasting brass or gold-tone crescent moon silhouette in the foreground. The construction uses a layering technique where the crescent is riveted or soldered onto the base metal, creating a three-dimensional effect with a central cutout. The metals exhibit a matte, brushed finish with a visible aged patina, particularly on the darker base disks which show subtle signs of oxidation and surface wear consistent with age. They are suspended from simple wire hooks, likely made of a base metal or gold-plated alloy, which appear slightly bent from use. While no maker's marks are visible in the image, the style is reminiscent of mid-to-late 20th-century artisan jewelry, possibly from the 1970s or 1980s. The craftsmanship suggests a studio-made or boutique production rather than mass-market manufacturing, given the slight asymmetry between the two pieces. There are minor scratches and tarnish throughout, but no major structural damage or missing components.

Based on my visual examination of these mixed-metal celestial earrings, I categorize them as mid-to-late 20th-century artisan studio jewelry, likely dating from the late 1970s through the 1980s. The construction demonstrates hand-finished techniques, specifically the layered riveting of the brass crescent onto a patinated copper base. The intentional asymmetry and irregular edges are hallmarks of handcrafted boutique production rather than industrial mass-manufacturing. The condition is 'good' for its age; the visible surface wear, slight oxidation, and minor bending of the ear wires represent an honest patina that collectors of vintage artisanal jewelry often prefer. These factors suggest the items are genuine vintage pieces rather than modern mass-produced reproductions. The market for 'Celestial Modernist' jewelry remains stable, driven by a consistent demand for celestial motifs and the 'earth-tone' aesthetic of the late mid-century. Comparables for unsigned artisan mixed-metal pieces of this scale typically trade in this price range. Higher values would require a confirmed maker's mark (such as Renoir or Matisse, though those styles differ slightly). A definitive valuation is limited by the digital nature of this inspection. I cannot verify the specific metal alloys or the presence of precious metal plating on the ear wires without an acid test or XRF analysis. To fully authenticate these and potentially increase their value, I would require an in-person physical examination to look for microscopic hallmarks under high magnification and any provenance documentation or original packaging that identifies the studio artist.