A rare pair of Victorian Mother of Pearl inlaid piqué earrings circa 1860. Delightful obelisk shaped pique drop earrings, beautifully inlaid in Mother of Pearl and brass with butterflies and flower motifs, tiny dots and tendrils. These Victorian earrings would have been handmade circa 1860-70. A skilled occupation which had its origins when the Huguenots escaped from France to England in the 17th Century where their craftsmanship spread. Very pretty earrings and light to wear the colors are soft pinks, blues and greens of the delicate Mother of Pearl. They have the original hoops to which we have attached new 9 karat gold ball stud fittings.
It must be said the iridescence that these earrings possess is beautiful, when worn they capture the light and radiate the full play of colour exhibited by Mother of Pearl, the articulation emphasises this further.
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MEASUREMENTS - 45mm L x 8mm W
MATERIALS – Tortoiseshell/Mother of Pearl/ 9 Karat Gold
WEIGHT - 6.4 gram
HALLMARK – None, stamped 375 on the earring butterfly backs
CONDITION - Overall good condition, there are minor losses to the inlay which is expected with a pair of earrings of such delicate construction and age. The piqué remains in good order with some minor wear to one corner. The mentioned wear doesn't detract from the overall delightful appearance when worn. The heads are a later addition.
Victorian Mother of Pearl Pique Drop Earrings, Circa 1860
45mm L x 8mm W