Posted 8 years ago
BillD
(53 items)
Hi, I came across these two small hinged 14k yellow gold opening spheres. They are about the size of a gumball and are hinged. They snap shut and have a small opening on one side once they are closed. I'm thinking they may be a button cover. Any Ideas?
These do look like button covers. Do they have a 14k gold mark?
I have acid tested them and they held up with the 14k acid and faded slowly after about 5-6 minutes with the 18k acid
14k gold button covers sound pretty frivolous, lol, so I am wondering if they are something else entirely.
Hi there, I think I can solve your mystery. These are called carriage covers, and were used to cover diamond drop earrings.
Please look for "carriage cover earrings" on Google Images, and you will see a host of examples, some very much like yours.
These are roughly mid C19th Victorian Etruscan Revival, very rare, desirable and rather valuable in themselves. Lucky you! Now, you just need to look for the diamonds!
Hi there, I think I can solve your mystery. These are called carriage covers, and were used to cover diamond drop earrings.
Please look for "carriage cover earrings" on Google Images, and you will see a host of examples, some very much like yours.
These are roughly mid C19th Victorian Etruscan Revival, very rare, desirable and rather valuable in themselves. Lucky you! Now, you just need to look for the diamonds!
Sorry, so excited I posted that twice!
NB. you can also look under "coach cover" earrings. They were used to disguise valuable diamond earrings en route to destinations.
Thanks for the info I did search google and it confirms you information. Thanks, Bill
It's my pleasure. They are very lovely!
Wow!! how amazing is that....they are lovely!!!
Yay to sightseer for solving the mystery! Now, if I ever see any I will know what they are. :-)))
Wowza - Looking at some of these 'carriage cover' earrings that are supposed to fool thieves - ("Hey Alf, leave 'em ear doodads, not worth a flagon of scrumpy.")
Good gracious, some of these coach covers are beautiful pieces in and of themselves. They would need coach cover cover earrings.
How did I miss this post then...
Coach covers are one of my Graal to find :-D
Kudos to you for finding them and to Sightseer for the solve!!!
https://thevintagevillage.com/forums/topic/139/victorian-coach-covers-for-earrings