Antique Victorian Coque de Perle eye brooch, Whitby Jet, paste

A rare and unusual find is this antique Victorian era Whitby Jet and Coque de Perle eye brooch.

Coque de Perle jewellery was very popular in the Georgian era, a faux pearl, usually large in size, created using Indian nautilus shells or pearly shelled molluscs, flat on one side and sometimes filled to create stability.

They often adorned elaborate earrings and beautiful necklaces, lined up to create a most dramatic look.

This is a later piece, made in the Victorian era, it features a single Coque de Perle to the centre mounted onto carved matte Whitby Jet, the Jet is shaped like an eye and the pearl makes up the centre.

Around the pearl has been decorated with clear paste stones and tiny steel cabochons.

The eye was also a very popular symbol in Georgian jewellery particularly with the lovers eye pieces so this brooch really pays homage to the 18th century era of jewels.

Unmarked c1890s, it has a brass pin fastener to the reverse.

Condition:
Good used condition overall, some age commensurate wear and signs of use, some light surface wear and marks.

Approx measurements:
1.60" width
0.90" height.

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