Pique, Pique Work. An inlay of one metal applied to an open area of another metal. Pique work is the more preferred term when referring to metal (cloth is generally pique). When two metals are employed in the same object the metals are chosen for their contrasting color, bimetal. Other media has been inlaid in metal pique work including ivory, shell, and mother-of-pearl. Pique work differs from pierced inlay (metal soldered into a cavity cut in the base metal) from impressed design (in which the die drives the second metal into a struck surface), and from cut-cardwork (which the design is left open to effect a stair-step relief).