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C1880 Pique Pendeloque Earrings Inlaid with Charming Bird Scene on gold wires

$2,175
£1,670.97
€1,919.93
CA$3,059.41
A$3,437.11
CHF 1,795.89
MX$41,951.49
NOK 22,802.60
SEK 21,463.85
DKK 14,327.21

About the Item

Wonderful pique earrings in the traditional pendeloque shape, with the bottom portion carved in the round at the bottom and carved to a point at the top and a pique ball top with inlaid star. The birds each point in the opposite direction indicating this is a "proper" pair. Each earring shows an endearing scene of a bird perched on a flowering leaf with wings and claws outstretched. The bird scene is encircled by a double border with different patterns which are entwined at the bottom of the earrings in a charming bow. One of the most pristine pair of earrings we have come across. Pique jewelry was a uniquely Victorian craft, though its origin lies much earlier with the French Huguenots in the 17th century who developed the craft and made beautiful objects from tortoiseshell. Following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, the French Huguenots were forced to leave France upon which they migrated to other European countries where they were sought after for their skills. The huguenots taught others their craft and soon many countries in Europe were engaged in the making of pique objects and later, pique jewelry. Pique involves steaming and piecing fine sheets of tortoiseshell into exquisitely translucent objects and inlaid with patterns and designs the size of pinheads. The word Pique means "to pierce". Pique artisans were perfectionists and only used the hawksbill tortoise and a few other varieties in their jewelry and objects.
  • Metal:
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 0.5 in (12.7 mm)Length: 2.25 in (57.15 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1880
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Baltimore, MD
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU25126419822

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