Antique Victorian Piquè Mother Of Pearl Inlay Torpedo Earrings Circa 1870

Antique Victorian Piquè Mother Of Pearl Inlay Torpedo Earrings Circa 1870

Name: Antique Victorian Piquè Mother Of Pearl Inlay Torpedo Earrings Circa 1870
Brand: Graisons Fine Jewellery
Price: 1699.0 SGD
Availability: OutOfStock

$1,699.00 SGD

Laybys welcome! Contact Us today to secure your dream piece.

As rare as the proverbial hens teeth these superb Victorian Piquè earrings are simply exquisite.

Crafted quite probably in France, perhaps England, around 1870-1880 from Hawksbill tortoise shell in pendoloque/torpedo drop style and meticulously inlaid with iridescent pieces of Mother of Pearl and silver wire work.

Articulated between the upper round pique sphere (with its one single tiny piece of MOP) to the bottom drop allowing movement which catches the various shimmering pinks, blues and greens which dance in the light!

History of Pique

Pronounced ‘pee-kay’ the world pique comes from the French war ‘piquer’ (to prick) and therefore describes the craft of inlaying gold, silver, ivory or in this case Mother of Pearl into the tortoiseshell.

Discovered and perfected during the 17th century by the French Huguenots who later taught the English jewellery artisans the skill.

Prior to 1870 the materials are cut exclusively by hand allowing for incredibly fine and intricate detail.

Fun fact

There are two types of pique work.

Pique point: tiny metal pins or wires are inserted in to the material in pin-point dots which create an intricate pattern made up of dots.

Piquè posè: small gold, silver motor of pearl of sometimes ivory fit in an engraved design usually scenic or floral.

This fine and stunningly beautiful pair measure a drop from the 9ct gold shepherd hooks to the base of 5.8cm and at the widest ping 1.02cm.

Now a lost art due to the protection (and rightly so) of the Hawksbill tortoise and the necessary skill and craftsmanship to achieve this intricate work Piquè jewellery is becoming increasingly collectible and Paris of earrings doubly so!

STONES

Pique

Mother of Pearl

Silver

Gold 9ct shepherds hooks

ERA

Victorian 1837-1901

MEASUREMENTS

5.8cm Drop from ear

1.02cm At widest point

WEIGHT

6.52 Grams

MARKS

None

CONDITION

Very very good antique 150 year old condition. No losses of Motor of Pearl or silver wire work. No repairs. Shepherds hooks original and strong with no distortion or bends. No cracks of splits to the tortoiseshell. No issues to note.

Laybys & Hold Policy

Do you have your eye on a fabulous piece but need some extra time to
pay? At Graisons, we offer suitable layby terms for pieces priced $400 AUD and above. Contact us for more details.

Purchase Guide & Refund Policy

For information regarding our Purchase Guide & Returns Policy, please click here

Shipping & Delivery

Free Complimentary Express Shipping: Australia & Select International Countries.

We are pleased to offer free complimentary express postage, fully insured with tracking and signature on delivery using Australia Post.

For all international purchases, a third party postal company will complete the final stage of delivery.

Orders are dispatched within one-two business days of purchase. Once complete, a tracking number will be forwarded to you via email notification.

We are currently shipping to the following international countries:
UK, USA, CANADA, SINGAPORE, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG.

PLEASE NOTE: Any duties imposed by countries for importing our items are the buyers responsibility. Please contact your local customs agency if you wish to discuss potential rates and fees.

Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery

We absolutely pride ourselves on sourcing the best quality pieces for our customers, with many of our items valued by our registered jeweller/gemologist.

Our collection consists of pieces that are of antique and vintage condition, which means that all our items are secondhand and used. Customers are not purchasing 'new', 'perfect' and 'unworn items', and as such, should expect wear and imperfection. Any condition issues are always extensively mentioned in the condition summary.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions prior to purchase. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that these descriptions and pictures are carefully viewed and any questions are asked prior to the transaction taking place.
Please refer to our guide, Caring For Antique & Vintage Jewellery for more details.

Your Purchase: What Is Included?

Your purchase will be lovingly packaged in our custom made, eco-friendly Graisons Fine Jewellery Jewel box tied with ribbon inside our custom made packaging/mailing box.

For added safety and security, all purchases are shipped inside an Australia Post medium sized mailing box.

If your item includes an independent valuation, the physical certificate will be included.

Do you have your eye on something special?

Contact Us

Graisons Fine Jewellery are located in Tasmania, operating exclusively online via their website.

Please include details of the item you wish to discuss.

Please check your junk folder if you are waiting to hear from us, we respond to messages and emails between the hours of 9am - 9pm (AEDT) 7 days a week.

Domestic & International delivery

Enjoy complimentary free express postage fully insured with signature on delivery.

Luxury Packaging

All purchases are packaged in our signature Graisons Fine Jewellery jewel boxes.

Payment in 4x

Afterpay available from purchases priced between $400 - $2000 AUD.

Layby Available

Take advantage of our generous layby plans for pieces priced $400 AUD and above.