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Home / Sold Items / Magnificent pair of antique pique earrings with a grape design

Magnificent pair of antique pique earrings with a grape design

Here are a pair of truly magnificent antique pique earrings that not only look so beautiful on the ear, but the intricate detail also hides a secret meaning making them even more romantic and special and highlights why there is nothing quite like genuine antique jewellery.

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 these pique earrings measure 58.7m from the bottom to the very top of the shepherd hooks, and look spectacular on the ear. With a magnificent chocolate-brown colour that is highlighted by the most incredible gold and silver work, it is not just the detail that is exciting, rather it is the fact that the earrings are highlighted with a grape design on both earrings.

Grapes are believed to have been the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, and they have been said to signify fertility, sacrifice, hospitality, and charity. It as said that to dream of grapes foretold to the maiden that her husband will be cheerful and if the dreamer was in love, the grapes foretold of a speedy union, with much happiness in the marriage. It is because of this, grapes will often be seen in antique jewellery in not only Victorian jewellery, but even pieces much earlier.

Subtle yet exciting features such as this that is often found in antique jewellery is what makes them so exciting, and these earrings are certainly no exception. Not only will they always be admired for their beauty, but they will also make a wonderful and exciting talking point.

As beautiful today as when they were made over 150 years ago, these incredible earrings are a true testament to the wonder that is antique jewellery.

 

Stock# ET606

Circa: 1870

$Sold.

 

Availability: 

Out of stock

Description

Magnificent pair of antique pique earrings with a grape design

Grapes are believed to have been the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, and they have been said to signify fertility, sacrifice, hospitality, and charity. It as said that to dream of grapes foretold to the maiden that her husband will be cheerful and if the dreamer was in love, the grapes foretold of a speedy union, with much happiness in the marriage. It is because of this, grapes will often be seen in antique jewellery in not only Victorian jewellery, but even pieces much earlier.

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/

 

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