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Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Pre 1900: Item # 1427223

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Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room
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P.O. Box 4684
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
tel. 410-435-3738

Guest Book

The term "pique" comes from the French word "piquer" (to prick) and describes a method of inlaying gold or silver onto tortoiseshell. The craft was discovered and perfected in the 17th century by the French Huguenots. The Huguenots later taught the craft to English jewelry artisans. These classical pique earrings with their Greek key design, are a perfect example of the sophistication, polish, depth and natural beauty of pique jewelry. The crafting of pique jewelry was a true art form, and the tools and skills needed to craft pique disappeared after the 19th century, but real pique is a lasting material, and these Greek key earrings look as good as the day they were made.