Can you ID maker of these Sterling Brutalist Earrings?

They were nearly black when I got them, not sure it was entirely intentional but I couldn't see the mark without a little cleaning.

It appears to be "AR" in an oval. "925" is stamped beneath. Each is 2 1/4" high. The fronts are not very smooth but the sides and back are definitely textured, kind of "orange peel" if you know what I mean. Does this surface suggest a method of manufacture? Cast? Is there a better name for it than orange peel?

The lever back wires are not marked but test sterling.

With no country hallmarks, is it safe to assume US? Having a bad brain week here so go easy on any silly comments I've made. I appreciate any info/insights you offer!

 

The AR in an oval sounds like an Italian mark for where made. Without looking it up, Arezzo, maybe?

 

Yes, Arezzo: http://www.silvercollection.it/SILVERSMITHSAR.html

 

They look cast,the texture made to look like hammered on concrete.see link

https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/texturing-sheet-silver/8649/21

 

Thanks to you, both! I am used to newer Italian silver having "Italy" stamped somewhere on the piece so that being absent threw me off.

The link on ganoskin was for texturing sheet silver but I do agree the earrings look cast.

Much appreciated!

 

Very nice earrings, Curioser.

Italian marks have the two letters for the province, together with the number of the silversmith in the same cartouche.
I can't see the ovals very well, but they seem to be a little rounder than the Italian ones. Without the number, it isn't Arezzo, or even Italian.

Example from the link Bronwen posted, an Arezzo mark with number 1 for UNO A ERRE S.P.A.



@Curioser , maybe you should look for a US or Asian maker whose mark is AR.

 

Hello @Any Jewelry --thanks for your reply! I should have been more diligent in sleuthing. The Italian attribution didn't feel quite right as I know they use hallmarks in Italy. The ovals on my earrings are sideways ovals, rounded, not like the hexagonal "diamonds" on the Italy marks. Based to researching!

 

PS - I love the new avatar! A vintage fashion print, perhaps?

 

My first thought would be Thailand, but it could be some modern designer whose name I wouldn't even recognize.

 

Probably too hard for us to ID without more info or familiarity with Brutalist jewelers. Thai jewelry has been marked for decades, not t all of it probably, but I wouldn't lean in that direction on these earrings. Thanks for your input!

 

Thank you Curioser. It is an Art Deco sketch of a Javanese court dancer.

 

Could be Thailand, the Thai are very good at making jewellery in Western styles. Not intended as fakes, generally their own designs, but inspired by.

 

That's been my impression too. All of the Thai pieces I've seen have been well-made in styles that look like Western ones from one era or another. Unless we're talking the temple dancer pieces of course. We 'Murricans apparently don't rate the designs the Thai make for themselves.