Victorian antique pique drop earrings
Dating from the Victorian era, these antique pique earrings are as magnificent today as when they were made.
Pique jewellery is unlike anything else, and click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
Measuring 9.2mm by 40mm or 50mm to the top of the hooks, these earrings will be perfect for any occasion and even well after 100 years, they are still in superb condition.
With such an intricate detail to each of them, combined with a smooth tactile feel, these earrings will always be admired and loved.
Stock# ET896
Circa: 1890
$Sold
Victorian antique pique drop earrings
What is pique jewellery?
A brief history on pique jewellery:
Pique jewellery is a style and type of jewellery all unto itself. It is 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. this was 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. These were then 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. More so 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. This of course means 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/antique/antique-earrings/
Click here to see more antique pique jewellery that is currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/antique/pique-jewellery/
Click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
A link to the beautiful V and A Museum in London:
