Description
This is a very well made pair of late Art Deco to early mid century Sterling Silver screwback earrings with long well formed daggers on the fronts that have rhinestone paste accents on the dagger handles. Easily identified as 1940s era costume when sterling silver was used with paste and rhinestones as other metals were needed for the World War II effort. They are marked sterling on the outer ends of the screw findings and the screws still work easily. No tightness or getting stuck in the grooves. Size of each dagger front is 1 3/16″ north to south from top of dagger handle to pointed end at the bottom. Width across the dagger body at the wider point is 5/16″ east to west across the rhinestone handle and 5/16″ across the wider part of the bottom east to west. Overall condition is excellent. No dents or dings. No tears or deep scratches. Screwbacks work well. Old block letter full word “STERLING” mark is a little worn but still visible on the screw ends. All of the rhinestones are clean, bright white and sparkly old cuts.
- Screwbacks: Invented in the late 19th century (around 1894) and patented widely for non-pierced ears, screwback closures reached peak popularity from the 1910s through the 1950s.
- Sterling Silver in Costume Jewelry: Sterling silver was heavily used as a base for costume jewelry in the United5 States during World War II (roughly 1940s) because strategic base metals like brass, copper, and nickel were rationed for the war effort.
- Dagger and Sword Motifs: While long, dangling, and dramatic earrings were fashionable in the 1920s and historical revival motifs appeared periodically, figural dagger and sword pieces accented with rhinestones and sterling (often with a gold wash) typically align with the retro and costume jewelry boom of the 1940s and 1950s.
