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Tortoise Shell Hexagonal Pique Brooch

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Georgian Jewelry25 of 126Pair of Regency Period Coral Necklaces with Conjoining Gold ClaspsNelson Memorial Pendants (Horatio Nelson -- Part 2)
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    Posted 9 years ago

    Agram.m
    (760 items)

    Piqué jewelry is a style and type of jewelry all unto itself. It was most popular during the Victorian era and it can be found as far back as the 18th Century. Piqué (pronounced “pee-kay”) is gold or silver, or sometimes a combination of both, inlayed into another material.
    Often the material was tortoiseshell (Hawksbill tortoise) and was also used for the making of other tortoiseshell material such as fans, boxes etc) 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/or 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. Piqué jewelry can most commonly be found in earrings and pendants, and the designs and coloring are amazing to admire. It is fantastic for the animals (turtles) that the use of their shell is prohibited since the beginning of the last century. But it is unfortunate that this type of jewelry is not currently very popular because they are all masterpieces of craftsmanship and patience. This form of jewelry making is now a lost art as both the elephant and Hawksbill turtle are protected species, meaning that piqué jewelry will become harder and harder to find as the years go by.
    Although piqué jewelry at the moment are not very much appreciated show they still often see a piece of craftsmanship. This again is a beautiful brooch that I can add to my small collection of these separate type of jewelry that you can see on the last photo. I hope that you can enjoy.

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    Comments

    1. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      aghcollect you're almost faster than I have placed him on CW, thanks for that and for your love.
    2. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      LuLuX thanks for interest and love.
    3. kyratango kyratango, 9 years ago
      Agram, your pieces are beautiful, and your writing is very informative too, bravo and thank you for sharing your piqué collection!
      Turtle shell is very sensible to dessication, a little of thin oil on a cloth will protect it.
      I rub my shell jewellery on my forehead or nose to make my sebum useful, LOL!
    4. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      kyratango LOL what a joke use your sebum. I know all about that because my former profession is educating estheticians and some people are blessed with a lot of sebum. Thanks for love ,compliment and advise. When I was younger I also could use sebum but nowadays I have to choose for olive or almond oil.
    5. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      Racer4four and vetrai050 thank both of you for love.
    6. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      kyratango so if I ever can advise you with regard to skin and / or skin problems!
    7. kyratango kyratango, 9 years ago
      So funny proposal, Agram ;-) Thank you!!! My (slightly...) oily shin protects my face from wrinkles :-))
    8. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      kyratango you're right this fact and the tact than an oily skin is often a little bit thicker protects from wrinkles and not expensive crèmes in spite of all the promises. That's the "only " benefit from having an oily skin.
    9. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      Peasejean55 and critchpics thank you both for love and interest.
    10. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      nutsabotash6 what a very nice compliment I appreciate, thanks for love to. Have a wonderful day with so much beautiful things around us.
    11. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      katherinecollections thanks for love and interest
    12. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      Newtimes, valentino97 and davyd286 thank you for love
    13. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      PostCardCollector and Elisabethan thank you both very much for love.
    14. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      Baylou thanks you for attention and love.
    15. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      robin56 thanks for love
    16. Agram.m Agram.m, 9 years ago
      Vintagefran thank you for love.

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