Featured Unusual Bacchus Earrings 14K Screw-backs - Coral? OK to re-set?

WOW! Is that yours, Bronwen? Stunning! Yes, I thought the face feminine at first, but knew better than to assume that with ancient imagery. I saw quite a few Medusas in Greece that looked like my ex-father-in-law...YIKES! Good question on the exposed back. Two holes AND a post to secure a gold plate? Seems unnecessary. Maybe also some remnants of rigging to hold the coral whilst being carved? I dunno! They only weigh .18 oz and .14 oz. respectively, neither is uncomfortably heavy.

 

Beautiful earrings!

This is probably how the fittings looked originally.



(not mine)

 

There are a lot popping up on the internet, not as uncommon as I thought.. perhaps as popular Grand Tour mementoes. Consensus in listings seems to be Victorian, and worth enough to give me pause as to keeping them. Since they have probably been converted once already, I expect that would drop the value.

 

That pair looks like it was taken from the medusa heads in the cistern in Istanbul

 

A painful example of "spolia". Makes me wince...

 

Archeological revival was popular at the time.

Some Ancient Roman examples:





This pair is coming up for auction soon:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0094/lot-150d5275-3ee2-4e92-a6a3-acb80108c084

(non of them is mine, either)

 

Alas, no. But if you're going to steal photos, steal photos of the best. Seller is a friend & would not mind my adding this one to my reference files.