Product Information
Product code: ET610$3,450.00
There is nothing quite like pique jewellery which is truly unto itself, and here are a magnificent pair of antique pique earrings that are made in the most amazing shape.
Click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
Dating from the 1870’s, each earring measures 48.9mm in length or 58mm to the top of the hooks, and while oval pique sections are often found, the fancy shape at the bottom really makes these earrings even more unique and special. With so much detail in the gold and silver work, combined with the lovely chocolate-brown colour of the tortoiseshell, these earrings will so easily suit any time of the day or night as well as any occasion.
Still in superb condition even after 150 years have passed, these antique pique earrings will always stay in fashion and style.
Stock# ET610
Circa: 1870
$3,450
Description
Gorgeous fancy shaped pique drop earrings from the Victorian era
A brief history on pique jewellery:
Piqué 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.
Piqué (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 “rods” 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.
Piqué 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 piqué 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/