Antique triple drop pique earrings
$3,100.00
Pique jewellery is so unique and truly like nothing that is made today, and click here to read an article on pique jewellery. https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
These magnificent earrings were made in the Victorian era of the 1880’s, and have the most finely detailed work to them in gold and silver, that combined with the chocolate-brown of the tortoiseshell brings it all together perfectly.
With the one at the top measuring 11.5mm in diameter, and the lower one 13mm, from the bottom to the top of the 14 carat yellow gold shepherd hook, this distance measures 56.8mm making them the so suitable to wear all the time, including for that special evening.
These earrings also came in with this incredible necklace here: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product/rare-antique-pique-necklace/
Truly so beautiful, these earrings are destined to be admired from near or far.
Stock# ET1291
Circa: 1880
$3,100
Antique triple drop pique earrings
Antique triple drop pique earrings made in the Victorian era of the 1880’s. These antique triple drop pique earrings measure 5.6cm in length.
What is pique jewellery?
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. 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 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/
Here is a link to the beautiful Queen Victoria Building where we are:
