These earrings are extraordinary, very large very simple construction without any of the normal attention to detail one would normally expect from the Countess, nevertheless they are marked Cis and I think they might have been made for a fashion show. The paste stones are consistent with the stones she used elsewhere in her work so I see no reason to doubt them. They would be an interesting pair of earrings to add to a collection of this famous designers work or to wear occasionally as they are a bit fragile. Amazing non the less! The highly fashionable and charismatic Countess Cissy Zoltowska came from Austria to Paris and began her career as a costume jeweller in the 1950s. She designed for Pierre Balmain and later, Jacques Fath, then for Balenciaga for 14 years. Her jewellery designs were ‘anti real’, she wanted them to be beautiful and fashionable in their own right, so they were large, in astounding colour combinations and highly inventive, some designs being used to peep out under skirt hems, as well as her more orthodox signature bib style necklaces. Her pieces were all prong set and hand mounted. Her jewellery was hugely popular and she designed both couture and more affordable costume jewellery for sale in shops in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan.