A late eighteenth century georgian 'coque de perle' brooch, feauturing a large oval panel set horizontally and suspending a smaller, tear-shaped drop, both pieces with scalloped marcasite surround, set closed-back in silver, c-clasp to the reverse, 11 g, length 2 in, 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.