Pair of pumpkin-shaped earrings from León. Spain, 18th century

Pair of Leonese pumpkin-shaped earrings. Spain, 18th century. Made of gold-plated silver and unplated silver. Hinged design, consisting of upper hoops and hanging elements with a globular profile, crafted in openwork filigree and decorated with small applied spherical motifs. The combination of gold-plated silver and unplated silver accentuates the relief of the ornamentation.

They bear a patina consistent with their age.
Measurements: 10 x 3.5 cm each.

So-called “gourd earrings” are one of the characteristic types of traditional jewelry from the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, with particularly deep roots in León and Zamora. Their structure, consisting of globular filigree bodies, allowed them to reach considerable dimensions while maintaining relative lightness.