A pair of late eighteenth century earrings, formed as a matching pair of oval 'coque de perle' plaques, open-back in silver with decorative marcasite suround, converted to earrings from components of a larger suite, width 0.75 inches, 3.5 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.