These Key Pattern drop earrings in sterling silver feature a geometric design inspired by ancient patterns. The earrings are hand-finished in our Orkney workshop in oxidised silver and the design measures approximately 10mm by 29mm.

Note: These special earrings are already made and waiting for you in our Orkney workshop. Usually all jewellery ordered online is made to order, but to help customers who need something special in a hurry, we've created a beautiful collection of ready to ship designs that can be sent to you within 48 hours, usually even quicker. Stock is strictly limited for these designs.

'Key pattern' refers to interlocking geometric designs composed of straight lines or bars that intersect to form patterns similar to the 'L' and 'T' shapes of a typical key. Like spirals, key patterns are some of the oldest designs in human history, with examples found in Ukraine that date back to 23,000 BC. In Britain, key patterns permeate Insular art of the 6th to 9th centuries, and are found on metal artefacts, such as brooches and hanging bowls, on sculptured stone, such as the magnificent Pictish cross slabs, and in the great illuminated gospels of Durrow, Lindisfarne and Kells. Sheila's modern jewellery interpretations use these ancient patterns as inspiration.