A late Victorian operculum necklace and screw-back earring set, made with intricate silver filigree. The operculum is the structure, or “trap door”, that closes the opening on a snail’s shell, to protect the snail from predators. You can see their spiral structure at the back of the necklace and earrings. Due to their iris-like appearance, operculum shell has also been called “cat’s eyes”, and were believed to ward off evil. In excellent and wearable condition. The necklace measures 16.5” long x 0.75” wide, and the earrings measure 0.5” in diameter.
