RARE! Toshikane Cleopatra Earrings Original Sterling Frames & 14k Wires $1NR

  
We are a long time bench jeweler and jewelry appraiser who finds ourselves with A LOT of treasures stashed in boxes and drawers. After many years of collecting, we have some very fine jewelry and some unique creations to sell. The earrings faces depict Egypt's most famous queen: Cleopatra. Set in a solid silver frame, embossed with na ancient design, the last true Pharaoh wears the crown of Devine authority depicting Uraeus the cobra; she holds two of the sacred lotus flowers which represent upper and lower Egypt. The details are amazing: Cleopatra wears golden beads in her hair, a beaded collar necklace and a wide cuff bracelet. She even has earrings, wee slithering snakes! The colors are beautiful: warm, creamy skin, a rust red necklace, green and violet lotus flowers and gold picking out each element on a pebbled black background. These striking earrings hang in the ear from newly made, solid 14k white gold ear wires. Though they are hallmarked with their kanji symbol brand name, a glance will tell you these superb earrings are classic Toshikane porcelian made in Arita, Japan. Potters discovered the first kaolin porcelain clays in Arita in the 1600's and have making their world famous Aritawares ever since.

In the 1930's, potter's saw an opportunity in making buttons and silver mounted jewelry. Birds, animals and images of Japan were molded into the white porcelain and then had painted in brilliant enamels. We've pictured some of these awesome buttons but before you ask, we don't have any of these pieces, the pictures are just screen captures for reference.

Today these "Toshikane China" pieces are highly sought after and collected. For all of these various designs we've seen, we had NEVER seen these Cleopatra pieces before and didn't even know they made them; even better is that she is set in her original Toshikane made silver frames. The silver earring faces measure 27mm long by 18mm wide and with the wire, hang 1 and 1/2th inches long in the ear overall. They weigh 9.7 total grams or 4.85 grams each.

For reference, a US quarter measures 24.2 in diameter and weighs a heavier 5.6 grams. The porcelain, the enamels and the earrings overall are in excellent, ready to wear condition.

The original earrings started life circa the 1950's as a pair of ladies non pierced screw back earrings. We stumbled on them and knew all they needed for a new life lease was a easier, more secure, way to wear them; we replaced the old screwbacks with vintage styled ear wires made in solid 14k white gold. We are professional jewelers with a eye tuned to see beauty... And we see it every where! Why tear up the earth looking for the next "new" thing when there are so many treasures just waiting to be rediscovered and remade.

Apparently, a lot of YOU feel the same way because over the last fifteen plus years we have successfully made and auctioned so many, many pairs of fabulous earrings. After removing the old screwbacks, we attached the solid 14k gold ear wires and "catchers" using our laser welder.

The welder literally uses a laser beam to perfectly fuse the metals together; no sloppy solders or ruinous torch flame. We always use solid 14k so you have "good" gold for your ears... We don't want less, why would anyone else? Some gals have been nervous about wearing the shepherd hook wires but are always relieved the find that the catchers make them very secure.

Perhaps you are a collector of all of the varied Toshikane designs... Know that our 15 plus years of 5 star service to you and to all fair minded buyers WILL NOT CHANGE. Toshikane Cleopatra Earrings Original Sterling Frames & 14k Wires $1NR" is in sale since Monday, May 17, 2021. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Fine\Retro, Vintage 1930s-1980s\Earrings".

The seller is "ace_of_diamond" and is located in Caseville, Michigan. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Modified Item: Yes
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
• Style: Drop/Dangle
• Materials: Porcelain hand painted with kiln fired enamel
• Time Period: Circa 1950's
• Motif: Striking image of Cleopatra, Egypt's last Pharaoh
• Earring Frame Metal: Solid Silver - hallmarked, tests as sterling
• Porcelain & Enamel Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition - no damage or losses
• Earring Measurements: 18mm at widest by 1 & 1/2 inches long overall
• Earring Weight: 9.7 total grams, 4.85 grams each: comfortable!!
• Ear Wire Metal: Solid 14k White Gold - new; custom made
• Modification Description: These earrings were made circa 1950 as a pair of screwback earrings by the Toshikane Company (hallmarked). We have replaced the original screw backs with new, solid 14k white gold ear wires.