$1,850.00
This antique locket is so unique and special, and with its finely detailed design on the front, combined with being in a romantic heart shape, will make this antique photo locket so much more loved and treasured.
Made in pique in the 1880's, it really is unlike any other form of modern jewellery that is made today, and click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
The design on the front is so beautiful and highlights the incredible detail that was able to b achieved all those years ago. With the gold and silver inlayed into the rich chocolate-brown, it measures 23.8mm across by 34.6mm plus the bail for a chain to pass through and will look so elegant day or night.
Able to hold two photos inside, this is not only a lovely locket, it is also a magnificent pendant.
Stock# ET1294
Circa: 1880
$1,850
In stock
Antique pique photo locket
This antique pique photo locket was made in the Victorian era of 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. 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. 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. This means that pique jewellery will become harder and harder to find as the years go by.
Click here to see more antique pique jewellery that is currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/pique-jewellery-antique/
Click here to see a small selection of more antique lockets that are currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/lockets-antique/
A link to the beautiful V and A Museum in London:
