Netroots Nation – Netroots Nation Spring 2010 Auction
Auction Ends: Mar 16, 2010 10:00 PM EDT

Jewelry

Art Deco Moderne Copper Athena Goddess Earrings

Item Number
150
Estimated Value
95 USD
Sold
32 USD to estuckey
Number of Bids
1  -  Bid History

Item Description

A perfect gift for one of the goddesses in your life -- or a treat for yourself to wear whenever you want a little extra magic -- these antique copper dangle earrings have a really powerful presence. They aren't massive, but simply packed with style, dimension and gleaming color. It's hard to look away from them.

Athena was the goddess of wisdom and handicrafts, but is pictured most often helmeted, in her guise as goddess of war -- meaning the more disciplined, strategic side of it. In ancient Greek mythology, she advised heroes including Odysseus, Jason and Heracles. Hers is definitely a useful spirit to have whispering in your ear!

Here she's shown as a proud Deco era beauty with a streamlined helmet defined by sweeping lines that project speed and dynamism. Athena's gorgeous profile in high relief is backed by flat metal and anchored to a rope-twist hoop that dangles from a sleek button top. The earrings are entirely of copper, except for screw fasteners of white metal, which can easily be slipped off and replaced by hooks, if you prefer them.

The drops measure just under an inch round and total hanging length is just under 1.5 inches -- suggesting that the dimensions are exact by European measurement. Most likely origin is France (where Art Deco design was called Moderne) and probable dating would be 1925-1930. Condition, as you see, is fantastic and provenance is a Midwestern estate that contained other little-worn jewels from this era.

Item Special Note

GlitzQueen History & Art to Wear congratulates Netroots Nation and is delighted to be an auction donor for the third year.  The owner is a progressive blogger featured at Dandelion Salad as The Other Katherine Harris.

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