E-0654A - Martha Washington Garnet Rosette and Chinese Bow Pendant Earrings - Red, Day Night Earring, Martha, Garnet Earring

I was able to make these earring reproductions after the originals owned by Martha Washington - and I must say they are stunning!

My reproductions measure the same as Martha's - almost 2 inches long with the pendant on, almost 1 inch wide at the pendant's widest. The rosette top is 3/4 inch round. They truly are just lovely!

Your earring purchase options include the rosettes with Chinese Bow pendants (or drops), the rosettes with teardrop pendants, the full set of both, or you can just purchase the drops by themselves. An earwire form of the teardrops are in another listing. The drop down gives you the options. When purchasing the drops (or pendants) only you will receive two.

Per the Mount Vernon website, "In 1760 George Washington recorded the receipt of an invoice dated December 26th, detailing his latest purchases from London. Therein he listed "A pair 3 dropt Garnet Earings" bought from a jeweler named J. Grymes to grace the ears of his wife, Martha. In the eighteenth century, "dropt" earrings referred to earrings with removable dangling pendants. As garnet jewelry remained popular throughout the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, few pieces survive in their original state..."

So I have done my best to recreate the front as close to the original as I can as an inspired reproduction piece. The back of the original had a reverse leverback of which I did not have available to make for these, but I have had the exactly style in another listing of my girandole earrings after my originals.

These have a kidney earwire which allows you to take off the Chinese bow drops to wear the rosettes separately, or put it back on for a more formal look. I also have available the teardrops that you can purchase separately if you have the Chinese bow drop earrings or voice versa to have the full set of day/night earrings.

The originals were made from beautiful round and oval cut garnets in a gold washed silver setting (vermeil). The overall piece is in a rosette top and pendant bottom.

First and fourth photo is of Gema Gonzalez wearing a pair at the Paca House and Gardens. The fifth photo shows these earrings next to the teardrop style that I also sell in the shop. The seventh photo is of the original pair next to my reproduction, and last photo is the original earring in my hands. Thank you to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association for allowing me to make these.