17th century or earlier.
These very special beads are known as Nueva Cádiz, named for the location off the coast of Venezuela where they were first found in an archaeological site. They are some of the most desirable among collectors and some of the most beautiful! We are calling them Murano (Venice) but they could also have been made in Bohemia (Czechoslovakia), another great producer of glass and glass beads for centuries. Jewels had a collection she carefully put away years and years ago and subsequently forgot about them. It was like discovering a great treasure lost at sea when we came upon the box again. All sterling work is hand made in our Santa Fe studio. We can make several of these earring though no two exact.
Each pair will be listed separately.
Longer bead with hand worked threaded wire: 1 5/16 x 1/8″
Drop from bottom of sterling disc: 2 3/8″