Large Florio studs in 9ct yellow gold and set with lapis lazuli. The Fig tree, of which this is a stylised version from the 'Liberty' era of Palermo, was a Jewish symbol of grace and elegance and often given as a gift to Jewish women. The name of the earrings comes from the Florio family who epitomised the Belle Epoque era of Palermo. From the Journey to Sicily.
Each earring measures approximately 15x18mm.
The Florio family are an old Sicilian family, and the Targa Florio race was their invention. This was a mad car race around Palermo and the Porsche Targa is named after the race. The pattern on the cuff is of stylised fig trees from a lunette in Palermo.
Originating from Afghanistan, lapis lazuli has been used as an ornamental material in jewels, inlay work and as azure paint for over 6000 years. With a typically resinous and mottled appearance, the metamorphic rock is acclaimed for its intensely vivid and opaque ultramarine blue colour. Unusually for a gemstone it is a rock, not a mineral.
All Cassandra Goad Jewellery is designed and made in our workshops in London.
Ever in search of the unusual and rare, Cassandra travels the world to source beautiful gemstones, either in the rough or cut form.
The craftsman works as an artist recreating the design in metal. The jewel is then mounted, assayed, polished and set.