Couture Early Chanel Marked MadeInFrance WiredPearl&LampworkGlass Clip Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Weight:12 g
- Dimensions:Width: 1 in (25.4 mm)Depth: 0.5 in (12.7 mm)Length: 1.25 in (31.75 mm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:late 1920s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3244222074132
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: North Adams, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Couture Early Chanel Marked MadeInFrance WiredPearl&LampworkGlass ClipEarringsBy ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILStamped "Made In France" on their antique brass back-plates like the initial unbranded couture costume-jewelry commissioned by French Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel beginning in 1924, these floral-motif wired earrings with early handcrafted brass clips are decorated with button-like cultured mother-of-pearls mixed with Parisian organically-coated lampwork glass, which we photographed in indoor sunlight for the most accurate colors. The pair were designed by Chanel to accessorize a one-of-a-kind clothing ensemble (likely including cultured-pearl buttons and a brooch) for a client of this pearl-associated couturier whose earliest one-of-a-kind jewelry--unlike other 1920s fashion designers--sometimes mixed real and faux gems. The intricate glass artistry, wired clustered arrangement and earring findings are characteristic of one of Chanel's first Parisian paruriers, Louis Rousselet, who was a lampwork master with a workshop since 1920 specializing in faux-pearl glass beads and wire-work construction. As the three-piece flat-brass lever clips without hinge-holes on both sides predate Rousselet's wire-horseshoe clips, they can be dated like the patinated well-worn brass hardware to the mid-1920s. The beads of various sizes and ecru colors that are wired to each earring include five round graduating iridescent mother-of-pearl disks, along with lampwork glass replicating nine baroque pearls, five round pearls and two seed pearls. There are natural imperfections on the green-and-rose-reflecting cultured pearls, while there is some nacre-enamel loss on the glass beads that is not eye visible. On closer view, one of the central round glass beads has a lighter blister, which appears like the texture of some uncultured pearls. Of note, Chanel did not include a brand signature on any of her couture costume jewelry prior to the mid-1950s. As many of her clients who came to Paris for their couture-clothing fittings were foreign, the coordinated unique jewelry that was expected to leave the country was merely stamped "Made In France" or "France". We acquired these earrings in The States along with a similar set with less but larger "petals, berries and leaves", which we priced the same in a different listing despite the slightly greater size and weight of this pair. So we know that they both were created for a single commission of multiple unique earrings with like lampwork-glass shapes and findings to be paired with the ecru mother-of-pearls provided by Chanel. While we have acquired over a dozen pre-signature pieces commissioned by the founder, these are the earliest earrings that we have discovered by Chanel. We have never found a single match to contradict our recognition of her early couture creations nor to attribute them to another designer. Further, Art Deco couture...Category
Vintage 1920s French Artisan Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsPearl, Cultured Pearl, Brass
- Vendome GiltLeavesBranch GoldFilagree Handwired BlackGlass Crystals ClipEarringsBy VendomeLocated in Chicago, ILThese post-WWII high-end Vendome hand-wired clip earrings each feature a spray of yellow-gold gilt-metal leaves with a stylized branch and five prong-set clear crystals among a clust...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
- Couture Chanel Pre1955 Signed France Gripoix PouredGlass Goosens EarringsBy Maison Gripoix for ChanelLocated in Chicago, ILThis couture pair of gold-gilt earrings are both stamped "France" on their convex gold-gilt metal ear-pads, which is characteristic of one-of-a-kind designs commissioned by Parisian ...Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Turquoise, Pearl, Gold, Gilt Metal
- MiriamHaskell WWII FrankHess Rose Rhodoid & CrystalMontee Layered Clip ClimbersBy Frank Hess for Miriam HaskellLocated in Chicago, ILBeginning in 1939, American Miriam Haskell asked her first designer since 1926 Frank Hess to sparingly use metal in their costume-jewelry collections during WWII while war materials were needed. So not unlike the Spring/Summer 2024 floral appliques designed by Balmain artistic director Olivier Rousteing, hand-crafted rose-motif plastic never looked more beautiful in the 20th Century than such eye-catching glossy creations as these ballet-pink clip earrings by Hess. In this reflective and sparkling pair of lightweight slightly asymmetrical climbers, shiny film-like rhodoid is hand-cut, layered in three dimensions for irregular shadows, and riveted with clear roses-montees to a thin silver metal frame, which replaced Hess' characteristic wired Russian-gilt brass frame while still resembling his earlier construction (see our other Haskell listing for an early double fur-clip chain lariat). The earring clips, with tiny holes that were used for unsigned Haskell...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Mixed Metal
- HenrySchreiner EarlySet ProngSetCrystal Silver Spray Tiered Earrings & BroochBy Henry SchreinerLocated in Chicago, ILHenry Schreiner, the Austrian-born blacksmith founder of Schreiner in New York in 1932, handcrafted this demi-parure of prong-set clear crystal stylized-foliage sprays after he began...Category
Vintage 1940s American Victorian Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Rhodium, Silver
- CatEyeMoonstones Antique PinkTranslucentBallCut 14MM SterlingLeverClip EarringsLocated in Chicago, ILRare wide cat's-eye, translucent, blue-tone strong pink, near spherical, 14mm moonstones with misty lavender-white schiller are showcased on these antique sterling-silver hinged-clip lever earrings from the early 20th Century. They could be mistaken for exceptional Quahog pearls...Category
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsMoonstone, Cat’s Eye, Sterling Silver
- Morganite Rose Gold Contemporary Clip-On Earrings with DiamondsBy Polya Medvedeva JewelleryLocated in Berlin, DEThese contemporary Peony Petal spring floral clip-on earrings are in 18 karat rose gold with 62 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and morganites octagon cut, 4,5 carats in total. The ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Morganite, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose ...
- PANIM 2.87 Carat Diamond Rosecut 18K White Gold Floral EarringsBy PANIMLocated in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong KongPANIM 2.87 Carat Diamond Rosecut 18K White Gold Floral EarringsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Pendientes Oro blanco- rosa con DiamantesLocated in BARCELONA, ESPendientes de mujer bicolor Hoja 90 diamantes con peso total de 0,69 cts. Cierre omega Oro rosa y oro blanco 18 kt. 9,30 gramos. Producto nuevo a estrenar Ref: N102864LFCategory
21st Century and Contemporary European Clip-on Earrings
- Pendientes en Oro, Diamantes y PerlaLocated in BARCELONA, ESPendientes en Oro Blanco para mujer 28x Diamantes en talla Brillante con peso total aprox. 0,42ct en calidad G/VS y 2x Perlas naturales cultivadas de 11mm cada una Cierre presión ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Clip-on Earrings
- Signed Trifari Vintage Rhinestone Set of Floral Clip on Earrings & PinBy TrifariLocated in Jacksonville, FLEmbrace the timeless elegance of Trifari craftsmanship with our exquisite Vintage Rhinestone Floral Pin and Earrings Set. This captivating ensemble exudes sophistication and grace, showcasing the renowned artistry that Trifari is celebrated for. The centerpiece of the set is the Rhinestone Floral Pin, measuring 2.25 inches in length. The pin features a stunning arrangement of rhinestone-encrusted flowers, meticulously crafted to create a dazzling display of brilliance. The intricate design and sparkling rhinestones add an enchanting allure to this vintage treasure. Complementing the pin are the matching Rhinestone Floral Earrings, measuring 1.13 inches in length. These earrings showcase the same captivating design as the pin, with rhinestone-encrusted flowers that elegantly dangle from hypoallergenic hooks. The earrings beautifully frame your face and provide a touch of glamour to any ensemble. Crafted with attention to detail and using high-quality materials, this Vintage Trifari Rhinestone Floral Pin and Earrings Set exudes a sense of refined luxury, perfect for special occasions or to add a touch of sophistication to your everyday attire. Indulge in the nostalgia of vintage aesthetics and elevate your style with this timeless Trifari set...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
- Ornate Gilt Tiger Clip-On EarringsLocated in Palm Springs, CAOrnate French "metal dore" gilt metal clip-on earrings depicting a tiger face.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Clip-on Earrings
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.