Oh these are FABULOUS!! A wonderfully unusual pair of French Art Deco-era novelty clip-on earrings, dating to circa 1920s and attributed to French designer Maurice Lespous.

ART DECO WHIMSY | MAURICE LESPOUS TORTOISE EARRINGS c.1920s.

Oh these are FABULOUS!! A wonderfully unusual pair of French Art Deco-era novelty clip-on earrings, dating to circa 1920s and attributed to French designer Maurice Lespous.

Crafted in sterling silver, each adorable little tortoise features a beautifully luminous oval mother-of-pearl shell, surrounded by delicate silver legs, tail and head accented with sparkling marcasites. Tiny ruby cabochon eyes add the sweetest little flash of colour. 

The mother-of-pearl is particularly gorgeous, catching the light with soft flashes of cream, pink and silvery iridescence — such a fabulous contrast against the marcasite-set silver.

MAURICE LESPOUS | PARIS
Maurice Lespous was a French jeweller and silversmith working in Paris during the Art Deco period, with his workshop recorded at 76 rue Charlot. His early pieces are identified by his distinctive French maker’s mark of the initials ML accompanied by an open hand. Lespous worked in both precious metals and decorative gemstones, and surviving pieces show the wonderful combination of silver, marcasite, colourful stones and playful design so characteristic of French jewellery of the period.

His work is also associated with the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs, the landmark exhibition from which the term Art Deco was derived, although sources phrase his participation as reported rather than definitively documented.

CONDITION NOTE: Please note that one tiny ruby cabochon eye is missing. It is honestly barely noticeable when worn, but the earrings have been priced accordingly.

Measurements :Each earring measures 2.1cm x 1.4cm.The earrings with a combined weight of 7 grams.