Victorian Tortoiseshell Pique Drop Earrings

A beautifully shaped, ornamented and detailed pair of Victorian era Pique Tortoiseshell drop earrings. Circa 1870's, the fine technique used to create this ornamentation is called 'Pique Pose' and is one in which an inlay of cut out flowers, fine strips and wires of Gold and Silver are pressed into the warmed Tortoiseshell to create strikingly beautiful and intricate designs. Of course this type of jewellery is no longer made as the Turtles are protected, but it is collected widely. If you look closely you'll see they are slightly mismatched, the central floral motif being different, a tiny detail which to our eyes makes these more interesting as the quirky eye of the human that made them is evident. On handmade rosy 9ct Gold wires which have a safety clasp, the earrings measure 4.5cm from the top of the ear wire.