Pen And Ink earrings: real, vintage, brass pen-nibs with inky blue Czech glass

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“Let there be gall enough in thy ink; though thou write with a goose-pen, no matter.” — William Shakespeare.

These pen nibs came in a small, battered, old red box, which says that they were made in the U.S.A. by The Esterbrook Steel Pen Manufacturing Company, established by Richard Esterbrook in 1858. While I don't know how old the pen nibs themselves are, they are probably vintage (thirty years old or older). Each one is stamped 'R. Esterbrook, 314 Relief, Made In U.S.A.' They have a wonderful, old gold colour, which complements the deep inky blue of the faceted glass.
I carefully drilled each pen nib and hung them on copper-plated ear-wires that have been artificially aged — 'antiqued' — to match the vintage-ness of the nibs.
Above each nib, adorning the ear-wire, is an iridescent, dark blue, faceted, firepolished Czech glass bead, like a drop of ink sliding down the wire. Czech glass is famous worldwide for its high quality. Firepolishing is a technique whereby the beads are 'polished' by subjecting them to a very hot flame, creating a bright, shiny surface. Firepolished glass sparkles almost like crystal.

A fabulous gift for a writer, reader, or fan of the vintage and unusual, the 'Pen And Ink' earrings are lightweight and easy to wear. They measure 59mm from top to bottom. The nibs are 31mm long, and 6.5mm across. The ear-wires are without nickel.

While it is unlikely that the glass beads will work their way off the ear-wires, it is recommended that you keep the ear-wires closed, just in case the beads manage to slip off and get lost. Keeping the earrings hanging, rather than jumbled up in a jewellery box, will help to ensure that the ear-wires do not get opened or bent by other jewellery pieces pushing against them.

For shipping and returns policies, and other information, please see the 'about this maker' link on the left.

Silverlight Jewellery … soft gothic.

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Shipping details

  • Ships from Te Awamutu, New Zealand.
  • $5.00 Tracked within NZ
    (Free with another item)
  • Rural delivery charge applies.
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