Vintage Crossed Key Screw-Back Earrings with Red and Blue Cabochons

This pair of vintage screw-back costume earrings features a motif of two crossed skeleton-style keys. The earrings are constructed from a silver-toned base metal, possibly pot metal or silver-plated brass, showcasing a significant amount of aged patina and oxidation consistent with mid-20th-century costume jewelry (circa 1940s-1950s). Each earring is accented with two sugarloaf or round cabochon glass 'jewels'—one in a translucent ruby red and the other in a deep cobalt blue—set into the circular bows of the keys. The metalwork includes detailed bit-and-barrel designs on the keys, giving them a three-dimensional heraldic appearance. The findings are traditional screw-back mechanisms, which were common before pierced-ear styles regained popularity. Condition-wise, the silver plating shows moderate wear, particularly on the raised edges and the screw mechanisms, where the darker base metal is visible. There are no visible maker's marks, suggesting they may be the work of a mid-market costume jewelry manufacturer from the post-WWII era. The glass stones appear intact with no major chips, though the metal settings show some accumulation of surface grime and verdigris.

Upon visual examination of these vintage screw-back earrings, I have identified them as mid-century costume jewelry, likely dating from the late 1940s to early 1950s. The heraldic 'crossed keys' motif is a classic design element of the era. The use of red and blue glass cabochons, rather than higher-quality rhinestones or crystals, suggests a mid-market production intended for daily wear. The condition shows significant oxidation and verdigris, particularly around the prong settings and screw mechanisms. This indicates the base metal is a non-precious alloy, likely white pot metal or silver-plated brass. The loss of plating on high-relief areas slightly detracts from the value but confirms the item's vintage age. The market for unsigned costume jewelry of this period remains steady, with demand driven by 'novelty' collectors rather than brand-name seekers. Comparables for unsigned screw-back novelty earrings in this condition typically range between $30 and $70. The lack of a maker's mark limits the ceiling for this item. Significant limitations exist in this remote appraisal: I cannot verify the metal's exact composition without a streak test or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, nor can I check the structural integrity of the screw hinges. Full authentication and valuation would require an in-person physical inspection to rule out modern reproductions and to assess if the glass stones are original to the settings or later replacements.