Pique is where tortoiseshell was inlayed with gold and silver resulting in a truly fantastic type of jewellery that is not only like no other, but can never be reproduced today, and here are a pair of gorgeous Victorian era antique pique drop earrings that date from the 1870's.
Click here to read a brief article on pique jewellery: https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/articles/history-of-pique-jewellery/
These elegant earrings measure 45.3mm from the bottom to the top of the round piece at the top or 53.5mm to the very top of the shepherd hook.
The design is so intricate and beautiful to admire as well as being very tactile and wonderful to touch. There really is nothing quite like pique jewellery and these earrings are a wonderful example that can so easily be worn all the time or for those special occasions.
With the design carried around to the back as well, this shows just how much time and attention went into making these earrings, and no matter the time or occasion that these are being worn, there is little doubt that they will always be loved and admired.
Stock# ES8660
Circa: 1870
$Sold.
Out of stock
Gorgeous Victorian era antique pique drop earrings dating from the 1870's.
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-kayâ€) 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/
