What ideas have jewellers come up with? In the early twentieth century, signet rings with hidden keys were all the rage.
Sometimes jewellers have ideas which are not a success. In 1930, pearl kneelaces were one of those ill judged notions.
S is for Snake In the jewellery alphabet, S may be for Skull but it could also stand for Snake. Snakes are not the most
Understanding symbolism in jewellery is a key skill. The moon can represent the Virgin Mary, goddesses Diana and Artemis or be a fashionable jewel for the body or hair. In the 1960s, jewellery was inspired by the Space Race.
Skulls are often found in jewellery, but what do they mean? In Renaissance and early modern art, they symbolised death and eternal judgment. By the nineteenth century, they had become fashionable party pieces.
In 1874, explorer Henry Morton Stanley set off for central Africa with a ring engraved with his name and the expedition dates. Eight years later, the ring resurfaced as a wedding gift from a Congo missionary. Why did Stanley value the ring and how did it match up to his other wedding gifts?
To understand jewellery, we have to appreciate its symbolism. Delicate butterflies, colourful and fragile, fly onto brooches, pins, necklaces and bracelets. The butterfly in jewellery is a symbol of love, death and the resurrection.
Jewellery is a visual art – it’s made to be looked at and it sometimes carries a message. The language of jewellery is full of symbolism, images which were once widely understood but now often forgotten.
Everything changes in war time and jewellery might seem very low down the list of priorities. But making and wearing jewellery in a time of war was a way to show that the human spirit endured. It could be a bright note on a worn out outfit, a love gift, or a sign of resistance in the worst circumstances. Making jewellery in a time of war was creative, surprising and often touching.
A round up of some exhibitions and talks about jewellery in February.
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