1965.0524,1970.0364,1965.537.001-.002,1965.0538 Jewelry
  • 1965.0524,1970.0364,1965.537.001-.002,1965.0538 Jewelry
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Earring

  • Category:

    Jewelry

  • Place of Origin:

    France, Europe

  • Date:

    1830-1850

  • Materials:

    Gold

  • Techniques:

    Filigree work

  • Museum Object Number:

    1965.0537.002


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1965.0537.002

Object Name

Earring

Category

Jewelry

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

France, Europe

Date

1830-1850

Subjects

Du Pont family history of ownership

Materials

Gold

Techniques

Filigree work

Dimensions (inches)

1.25 (L) , 0.68 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

3.18 (L) , 1.74 (W)

Object Description

Web - 12/22/202

These delicate filigree spirals of gold wire carried lightweight design resembling lace or embroidery to a woman's ear lobes. The hinged hoop form known today by a French term, poissanrdes, was made beginning in the early decades of the nineteenth century, The earrings' first recorded wearer was Victorine Elizabeth du Pont, the Paris-born eldest daughter of immigrants to Delaware Eleuthère Irenée du Pont and Sophie Madeleine Dalmas. Disappointingly, her yourthful portrait painted by Rembrandt Peale features an unpierced ear, and another portrait painted by Bass Otis after she was widowed does not reveal earrings. (1961.0709, 1957.0583) After her death, one of her siblings identified this pair of earrings as belonging to Victorine.

Victorine was briefly married to French immigrant Ferdinand Bauduy, who became a partner in the du Pont powder mill in Delaware. They wed on November 1813, but a few short months later Ferdinand died of pneumonia (January 21, 1814). Her gold wedding ring is also in the Winterthur collection (1965.0538). Victorine was childless and did not remarry, but remained tightly entwined with her family and workers at the mill. With her father's help, she founded her own school for the children of workers in 1817 and developed an aptitude for teaching.