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Tortoise Shell Piqué brooch inlaid with gold and silver

In Fine Jewelry > Brooches > Show & Tell and Fine Jewelry > Victorian and Edwardian Jewelry > Show & Tell.
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    Posted 11 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.
    Measurements of this brooch: 1.7 x 1.2 " and a safety pin.
    On the second photo I already showed you earlier on CW you see my other Piqué jewelry amongst others a very large and special inlaid brooch. A demi-parure, earrings and pendant and a little locket which can be opened and place for two photos, very special!

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    Comments

    1. Moonstonelover21 Moonstonelover21, 11 years ago
      Agram.m....Amazing ...love it!!
    2. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Thanks moonstonelover21 for your loving and compliment
    3. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      mustangtony thanks again for your attention and loving
    4. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Newtimes thanks for loving, how are you?
    5. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      woman34 thank you very much for loving
    6. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      AR8Jason nice to "see"you again, as always thanks for loving
    7. ozmarty ozmarty, 11 years ago
      Beautiful refined elegance!
    8. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Vertrai050 thanks for loving
    9. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Ozmarty what a nice compliment, thanks also for loving
    10. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      miKKoChristmas11 and davyd286 thanks as always for your interest and loving
    11. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      BELLIN68 thanks for your frequent interest and loving
    12. inky inky, 11 years ago
      Stunning!...:-)
    13. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Inky thanks for your compliment and loving.
    14. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      freitheit thanks for looking,positive interest and loving
    15. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      VictorianVicky thanks for your interest and loving. May I invite you to look at my Victorian Collection? You can find them all together under this link:
      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/Agram.m/posts
    16. trunkman trunkman, 11 years ago
      That is an awesome piece!
    17. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Trunkman thanks to "meet" you here and also for your compliment.
    18. trunkman trunkman, 11 years ago
      You are welcome -- the interesting thing I find about collecting is that you begin to appreciate quality pieces in whatever forum they may be found. I was drawn into the craftsmanship that is evident this wonderful gem, and appreciate your sense of this in the many wonderful pieces in your collection.
    19. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      Trunkman thank you for your wonderful compliment and indeed you are right in your remark that collecting make you appreciate quality pieces and craftsmanship in all forms. It helps to develop good taste from all! Nice to see you here and your stimulation to look around on other collections and collectors!
    20. Agram.m Agram.m, 11 years ago
      bradjdd an nldionne thanks for your interest and loving.

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