These are considered the most classic Catalan style of earrings. They're long earrings made of gold or silver with incrusted gems and were very popular in Catalonia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
They we nicknamed "herring earrings" (arracades d'arengada in Catalan) because its shape looks kind of like a hanging herring fish.
They are usually made up of 3 or 4 different parts (the button on the earlobe, the central piece, two side pieces, and a final little one hanging from the bottom of the central piece) that could be mounted or dismounted at will. The longest versions would be worn only on special occasions, and in those days they could be quite long (the longest ones reaching 15 cm). On everyday occasions, they could wear only the top part, shaped like a button.
Left: Gold and garnet 19th century Catalan earrings from Auctionet. Right: Gold and emeralds 19th century Catalan earrings from Auctionet.
Left: Gold and garnet 19th century Catalan earrings from Auctionet. Right: Gold and silver with emeralds 19th century Catalan earrings from Auctionet.
Left: Gold and emeralds 19th century Catalan earrings from Auctionet. Right: Gold and emeralds late 18th century Catalan earrings from TodoColección.
Info source: Enciclopèdia Catalana, L'herència de la joieria catalana - Pilar Vélez.
