Pair of earrings
1860–1910
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Dorothy Warren
Accession Number
2006-34-2-a,b
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant pair of earrings, crafted the Tinsel Trading Company 1860 and 1910, offers a glimpse into American decorative arts during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Produced a specialized firm likely known for its use of shimmering tinsel—a metallic thread or foil popular in affordable luxury goods—these earrings exemplify the era's fascination with sparkle and ornamentation. Jewelry like this was a staple accessory for women, symbolizing social status and personal style amid rapid industrialization and growing consumer culture. Though the exact medium remains under study (research in progress), the pieces reflect the innovative techniques of commercial jewelry makers who democratized elegance through mass production. Donated by Dorothy Warren and now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, they highlight how everyday adornments captured the Gilded Age's blend of whimsy and refinement. Imagine pinning these to your ears for a ballroom soirée—timeless treasures awaiting further discovery! (178 words)