A pair of late eighteenth century earrings, featuring domed 'coque de perle' panels, closed-back in silver with decorative marcasite suround, each suspended from a gold bow with back-to-front ear closure, length 1.75 in, 19 grams, circa 1780. 

'Coque de perle' - French for 'eggshell pearl' - given its resemblance to a lustruous, domed eggshell, was a popular faux pearl material used during the Georgian period and carved from the nautilus shell of the East Indies. Often set with pyrite/marcasite or cut steel, pieces were typically crafted in silver to accentuate the steely grandeur of the shell material, though occaisionally pieces were set in gold as well.