Pique is the term given to jewellery that was made from tortoiseshell that was then inlayed with gold and silver, and here are a very beautiful pair of antique pique drop earrings that were made in France in the 1880's and look as beautiful today as when they were made over 140 years ago.
Click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
The earring have such fine and intricate detail that will have you admiring them from near or far and the chocolate-brown colour stands out so beautifully against the rich golden-yellow colour of the gold itself.
With a central section that sways independently to the rest of the earrings, each earring measures 14.4mm across by 40mm or 47.2mm to the top of the shepherd hooks which also bear French hallmarks.
Still in wonderful condition and perfect for any occasion, these are such an elegant pair of genuine antique piece earrings that are as unique as they are beautiful.
Stock# ES9037
Circa: 1880
$Sold
Out of stock
Antique pique earrings made in France in the 1880's
Pique jewellery is a style and type of jewellery all unto itself and one that cannot be reproduced today and is so unique and spectacular. Made most popular during the Victorian era, it can be found as far back as the 18th Century and was popular throughout most parts of Europe but mostly in Italy and England.
Pique (pronounced pee-kay) is gold or silver, or sometimes a combination of both, inlayed into another material. Quite often the material was tortoiseshell (from the Hawksbill tortoise which was also used for the making of other tortoiseshell material such as boxes etc) and sometimes even from elephant ivory.
The tortoiseshell seemed to be the most popular, probably because of its light weight and being easy to mould into other shapes. Tortoiseshell is a natural thermoplastic , meaning that it is quite malleable when heated/warmed. Very fine gold or silver would be fashioned into either fine rod or leaf designs and the pressed into the already warmed tortoiseshell.After the gold and silver was set, the shell was left to cool down which would then contract to hold the metal in place.
Prior to 1870, the metals were cut by hand allowing for very fine and intricate detail then after 1870, machines started to do the work resulting in more straight and angular designs. The attention to detail no matter the age is always something that never ceases to amaze people especially when you consider that these pieces were often made well over 140 years ago and still look superb today.
Pique jewellery can most commonly be found in earrings and pendants, and the designs and colouring are amazing to admire.
This form of jewellery making is now a lost art as both the elephant and Hawksbill turtle are protected species, meaning that pique jewellery will become harder and harder to find as the years go by.
Click here to see more antique earrings that is currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-earrings-antique/
Click here to see more antique pique jewellery that is currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/pique-jewellery-antique/
