The Antique Jewellery Company Christmas Gift Bow The Gift Guide
Latest Finds What's Hot Expert Picks The Archive Sale Eras Collections
Contact Book Appointment
Wishlist Sign In
The Antique Jewellery Company
10% Off with WRAPPEDUP
Free Delivery, Returns & Sizing
The Antique Jewellery Company Experts since 1975Read Our Story
The Antique Jewellery Company

Tortoiseshell Pique Brooch

TBC-17
426 Admirers
Written by Olly Gerrish

This tortoishelle brooch has been inlaid with silver and gold. The process has been lost in the mists of time, and it would be impossible to reproduce such pieces. The tortoishelle was heated, then the pattern was pressed in. Brooches such as this one were worn as mourning jewellery. After Prince Albert died Queen Victoria went into deep mourning and the country followed her. At first pieces of jewellery were all black and sombre such as jet, but as the years rolled on the jewellers took more liberties and added decoration. This example is from about 1890.

Item Number
TBC-17
Materials
Date & Origin
Provenance
English
Condition
Excellent
Discovered
15 years ago
Sustainable Luxury

The Responsible Choice

Buying antique jewellery is both ethical and eco-friendly as harmful and destructive mining processes are not needed to make an item yours. So give yourself a pat on the back!

Find Out More
Sustainable Luxury
AJC Guarantee
Our Guarantee

Our Guarantee

We always stand by our five core principles:
Quality, Rarity, Expertise, Peace of Mind and Personal Touch

Find Out More