Specialist Notes
A girandole refers to ear pendants in which three dangling pear-shaped ornaments like these citrines are suspended from a central motif. This design enjoyed popularity for a hundred years, spanning part of the 17th century into the 18th century. These designs were produced throughout Europe using all manner of gemstones. When the fashion waned, the earrings were often disassembled and the parts re-purposed as pendants and re-designed earrings. This pair by Fred Leighton is the modern interpretation and what we often refer to as chandelier earrings.