Mid-Century Molded Ivory-Tone Leaf Earrings with Gold-Tone Mounts
Description
Pair of mid-century clip earrings featuring molded ivory-tone leaf forms set within gold-tone decorative mounts, combining organic motifs with sculptural metal framing.
Made/Created
Date made
circa 1955 - circa 1968
Notes
Dating is supported by molded plastic cabochon construction, clip-back findings (non-screw), and the stylized botanical motif characteristic of mid-century costume jewelry.
Jewelry Details
Gemstones
Notes
Method of Manufacture
Molded thermoplastic or early resin leaf components
Cast gold-tone metal mount with integrated clip hardware
Adhesive-set central leaf element within metal frame
Mass-produced postwar costume jewelry construction
Setting & Construction
Leaf element formed as a single molded cabochon
Bezel-style metal surround framing the leaf
Decorative cast metal scrollwork and bead accents at base
Hinged clip-back findings with tension spring (no screw adjustment)
Materials
Ivory-tone molded plastic or resin (possibly celluloid or early acrylic)
Gold-tone plated base metal (likely brass alloy)
Integrated clip mechanism in plated metal
Technical Dating Indicators
Non-screw clip backs common mid-1950s onward
Molded plastic jewelry surged in popularity during the 1950s–60s
Organic leaf motif aligned with mid-century nature-inspired accessories
Warm ivory and gold palette fashionable in coordinated accessory sets
Ethnography
Notes
These earrings reflect the mid-century fascination with stylized natural forms rendered in modern materials. The 1950s and 1960s saw widespread experimentation with plastics in jewelry, allowing designers to replicate carved ivory or bone effects affordably and ethically (well before contemporary sustainability discourse, but aligned with mass production practicality).
Leaf motifs were associated with:
Feminine elegance
Seasonal fashion transitions (especially autumn collections)
Coordinated accessory sets (earrings paired with brooches)
Such pieces were typically worn with:
Structured day dresses
Matching handbag and glove sets
Church or social daytime events
The shift to molded plastics represents the broader democratization of decorative fashion in postwar America and Europe.
Condition
Overall Condition
Very Good
Date Examined
Mar 2, 2026
Notes
Light surface wear to plastic leaf elements
Minor plating wear on reverse and clip hardware
No visible cracking or major structural damage
Clips intact and functional
General Notes
Note Type
Description
Note
This pair of mid-century leaf earrings illustrates the integration of molded plastics into fashion jewelry during the postwar period. The central ivory-tone leaf forms are molded to suggest carved natural material, complete with stylized vein detailing, and are framed within decorative gold-tone mounts featuring bead-like and scroll accents.
The combination of traditional botanical imagery with modern synthetic materials reflects a transitional design philosophy: nature rendered through industrial innovation. By the mid-1950s, advances in thermoplastic molding enabled manufacturers to create detailed sculptural forms at scale, expanding access to visually rich accessories beyond the realm of precious materials.
Clip-back findings indicate continued adaptation to evolving wearing practices prior to universal ear piercing. The overall composition balances softness and structure, aligning with the polished femininity of mid-century fashion.
Today, such earrings serve as artifacts of material experimentation and mass-market elegance, embodying the intersection of natural inspiration and industrial production that defined mid-twentieth-century costume jewelry.
