Coque de perle earrings

Georgian coque de perle and pyrites earrings, circa 1800. Coque de perle is an 18th century French term for the pearlescent shell of the East Indian Nautilus shell. The convex part of the shell was cut away to form these delicate eggshell pearls which were prized for their iridescence. Each shell only produced one coque. These coque de perle earrings are set in gilt metal and suspended from silver bows set with iron pyrites. The ear wires are gold. The earrings are 1 and 1/3 inches long and 1/2 an inch wide across the pendant drop. Light on the ear and immaculate.

sold
Item ref : 5555