Ancient Roman-style Earrings Make a Comeback in Renaissance Italy

Well, look what I spotted in this portrait. Ancient Roman style earrings!

Portrait of a Lady by a Follower of Bronzino

Image from: http://www.li.ru/interface//pda/?jid=4199753&pid=357459728

Some Faiyum Mummy Portraits-

Image from: http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/fayum6.jpg

Image from: http://images.rom.on.ca/public/index.php?function=image&action=simpledetail&image_name=ROM2004_1017_17

Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342977327847430803/

I decided to make some to go with the necklace I strung recently.

The gold glass beads were threaded onto small gold wire headpins. I only used one bead (as opposed to two or three as in the photo) because I didn't want the earrings to be too long.

I bent the headpin around a metal knitting needle to get the right size loop. Then I adjusted the loop with jewellery pliers.

I originally planned to use these earring hooks as they are closer to what was worn in the Renaissance, but the earrings didn't sit properly when attached to them.

The finished earrings

The completed set.

Upcycled Earrings

The lingering lurgy has been slowing me down, but I managed to fix up the old earrings I bought from the junk shop back in July.

The old earrings

My ''ingredients''

I cleaned the earrings and removed the old hooks. I cut a headpin so that it was a straight piece of wire. I made a loop at one end to hang the earring on and then threaded on a pearl. I made another loop at the other end which I hooked through a new earring hook.

 

The finished earrings