Early 20th century Straits earrings set with freshwater pearls in 20k gold.

This is one of those one-off finds that always surprise us, because they form the equivalent of small, precious Victorian ear studs that aren’t so much precious in terms of gemstone, but meaningful for period jewellery of its region.

These studs are made in the Chinese huggie style, with a lever back that forms under the earlobes like a hoop earring.

This ‘Chinese’ style means the huggie is felt and seen at a peek-a-boo, but not entirely visible from the front.

This is not just to have a pair of earrings that wear safely (ie. not easy to drop), but to have the earrings wear in a particular fashion. Hovering at the lobes daintily, not hanging off the piercing.

These turn-of-the-century studs were also made very similar to antique French dormeuse earrings.

They have the same refined and robust quality in make and hence in keep. Many haven’t escaped the cauldron!

Each earring is a cluster stud whose small pearls give a feeling of fullness, at 1.3cm.