Herring earring

The herring earring (in Catalan, arracada d'arengada), also known as Jacsins or nanny earring (arracada de dida),[1] are the names given in jewellery to the traditional type of earring typical from Catalonia since the middle of the 18th century and with a prominent success during the 19th century.[1][2] It became very popular due to the designs of Josep Masriera i Vidal, a forerunner of a long lineage of Catalan goldsmiths since his first designs in 1838 with gold and emeralds. This type of earring is considered the most representative model of the Catalan jewellery.[3][4]

Two types of Catalan-herring earring from the 19th century

The herring earring is mostly made of precious metals such as gold and silver and consists of several pieces. The top is a kind of a squared closing button for everyday's use and its design aims to fit the earlobe.[2][5] The center of the piece, which is longer and almond-shaped, has at least three removable parts: one hanging on each side and a third one in the middle, from which sometimes a smaller one also hangs -serving as the end of the whole earring.[2][5] The piece has a length between 2 and up to 15 centimeters in the most showy cases. Its silhouette resembling the typical Catalan herrings preserved in brine was the triggering for this popular alias.[2][3][5]

This jewellery piece has always been a symbol of engagement and marriage among Catalan families.[5] To give it more majesty, the metals are usually combined with shiny gemstones such as amethysts, emeralds, small diamonds or topazes, which confer them plant themes.[2][3][5] In the case of those garnished with garnets, the Northern Catalonia has historically been a key place for the herring earring manufacturing.[2]