The History of Jewelry
Uncovers the Future of Jewelry
You won't find another ‘History of Jewelry' (and there's lots of ‘em) anything, and I mean anything, like what you're about to read. None exist. (unless I've been copied again;-)
The history of Jewelry and its future are worlds apart, yet remain inexplicably linked, yet hardly ever considered as one complete, whole ‘something’. Maybe, the Jewelry shoobies are too busy trading mass produced Jewelry to consider the History of Jewelry narrative at all.
Let's reconsider, for arts' sake, Jewelry over time. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help here... glance back over your shoulder, just like the Girl with a Pearl Earring painting masterpiece (top of this page) and Google stalk Jewelry past. You won't have to search very far, as the subject is what this entire website is dedicated too.
When you look at the Natural Pearl earring dangling from her ear, you can't miss that gleaming light-filled pearl right? The pearl, like Jewelry History, is now in the foreground. What has proceeded it, and what succeeds it, lest we forget, holds great significance for our present and future generations.
From this new perspective, we see Jewelry History as a Magic Baroda Carpet Ride on the bejewelled horizon of generations gone by, continually being interrupted by wars and politics, economic crises, black swan events and Yet, and here's the thing - shaped and propelled by those very same forces.
Fine estate & period Jewelry created by his master art is an enduring legacy of the human narrative, in its highest and purest form, expressed as only a true craftsperson can express it. As we look in absolute fascination at the master craftsmanship imbued in Jewelry past, we know, without any shadow of a doubt, postmodern Jewelry was merely practice, during the Art Renaissance intermission.
Jewelry in a World Without War
So how will the Jewelry narrative be interpreted in the future ? Can it even survive in a world without the interruptions of war, economic crises, etc?
From Jewelry history, we know there hasn't ever been just one "History of Jewelry" - there's been many Jewelry his Stories, written in general from a male perspective. Histories of the artists. Histories of the designers. Histories of the international Maisons. Histories of the Jewelled craft and the histories of the goldsmith's art and so on.
Most Antique Jewelry narratives, written with historical bias, refer to the different styles and periods and considers the continuing presence or absence of similar features. In this sense, the alterations of stylistic periods are marked by, yep, Historical events such as..err... the two world wars of the 20th century, the wall street crash of 1929, the economic boom following the second world war.
By examining Famous Jewelry Collections and other fine examples, we might arrive at a closer idea as to the origin and nature of the Jewelry, by examination of the metals used, the applied gold-work and the stones they may contain; for they remain free of historical bias. I mean... stones and bones don't lie;)
What's Truly Antique in the History of Jewelry?
Drawing from language, the actual word, 'antique' comes from the Latin word 'antiquus' which means 'old'. The word 'jewellery' is derived from the word 'jewel' from the Old French word 'jouel' in around the 13th century - the word 'jouel' comes from the Latin word 'jocale' which means a 'plaything'.
Technically, Antique Jewelry is Jewelry that has survived 100 years or more, some argue 70 years only, in both cases, making it is a witness to a previous generation in history.
Historically, however, "antiques" hold a particular reference. Those antiquities are from Old Greek and Roman civilizations, known as the 'Age of Antiquity'.
In the Pantheon of Jewels, Antique Jewelry and 20th-century Jewelry is an ongoing commodity, and yet provides hard evidence of humanity at its very finest. Magnificent Jewelry holds special significance in history. It has strength, beauty and roars quality and importantly often provides a more truthful account of human history than many written historical accounts.
Style, Form & Materials Used in Jewelry History
By cross-referencing period styles, forms and the materials used in the history of Jewelry, dealers, and collectors can period date pieces with a greater deal of accuracy. After-all, bones & stones, antique diamonds, including the amazing blue gemstones, and antique gold work don't lie.
Antique Jewelry and 20th-century Jewelry may be embellished with precious and non-precious gemstones.
Each piece tells it's own story. Many pieces express great love. Local culture and tradition often made it impossible for couples in love to express their love openly in the past - here, Jewelry came to the lover's rescue! It offered a subtle form of expression with forever lasting quality.
Click here to find out the meaning of wedding rings...
Fine Jewelry, crafted using Jewelry techniques practiced during that period, involved materials that were popular in that same period.
Handcrafted Antique Jewelry was executed with painstaking attention to the finest details, just consider Peter Carl Faberge's most celebrated achievements.
Camilla Duchess of Cornwall's Diamond Engagement Ring is a perfect example of the linear perfection in Art Deco Jewelry of the 20s.
A symbol of love in the shape of a platinum and diamond antique engagement ring has been appointed keeper of the royal flame of love, for over a generation. History and family tradition, add romance and value to an heirloom antique engagement ring.
Antique Jewelry Described in Period Style
Antique Jewelry is categorized into separate period styles. Time-traveling into the past, let's take a closer look at each design period...
Our Jewelry time-travel journey begins at the dawn of the 18th century and travels towards the present, ending at the dawn of the 20th Century. Our time travel is in Europe.
Premier Jewelry, gemstones, and Natural pearls have answered a deep and personal love of beauty throughout each of the period styles in the history of Jewelry. But that's just half the story.
Jewelry, gemstones and Natural Pearls have also been used strategically in world politics, and arguably quite brilliantly by British and French royalty, such as Emperor Napoleon and the acquisition of fine Jewelry of the Georgian period.
Key points in the Histories of Jewelry:
- Jewelry existed, very strongly as an Art Form in which style and fashion were set by the aristocracy.
- Bourgeois Jewelry, peasant Jewelry, and Jewelry in less precious materials, that today we refer to as Costume Jewelry were often simply imitations of court fashions.
Click on the links below to enter the decorative periods during the History of Jewelry.
- 1714 - 1830 Georgian Jewelry - named after the four successive English kings, George I, George II, George III, and George IV and it spans most of the 18th and part of the 19th century. On the European continent, this period is called the Louis styles, named after the French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.
- 1837 - 1901 - Victorian Jewelry officially starts with the coronation of a very young Queen Victoria. It ends with her death at the age of 82, in 1901.
- 1895 - 1910 (the peak years) - Art Nouveau Style Jewelry
Inspiration form mother-nature resulted in the greatest period in English, European and American Jewelry. - 1901 - 1914 - Edwardian Style Jewelry officially begins in 1901 when Edward VII took the throne at the age of 56. Although Edward VII died in 1910, the "Edwardian" style continued until the outbreak of the first world war in 1914. Coinciding with 'la belle époque' fashion era on the continent, a French term which means 'beautiful era'.
- 1918 - 30 & Art Deco Jewelry - a relatively short period in the history of Jewelry. This was the "Roaring Twenties" and signified an overriding lust for life and the emancipation of women.
- 1930 - 1940s Antique Costume Jewelry - or Retro- modern Jewelry of the 1930s-40s was Jewelry to wear at the new 'cocktail' hour. Made for women to show off in. To be glamorous and razzle-dazzle 'em at the new cocktail hour without the fine Jewelry heavy price-tag.
Back to the Future of Jewelry
So, what sense can we make of Jewelry in the Future? Does it even have a future?
I mean, since 1918, few Jewels have been designed for court wear in any country and since 1939, even less. Besides, for political and economic reasons, the West does not encourage the making of such splendid Jewelry anymore.
So they say, too every cloud, there's a silver lining. Here's my silver lining, for what it's worth: scarcity increases the demand for fine Antique Silver and Gold Jewelry, Period and Estate Jewelry already in short supply, will become even more scarce, and therefore more sought after by future Antique Jewelry Investors to love and appreciate.
In concluding, Lest We Forget - the History of Jewelry has been continually punctuated by war & “reeking tube & iron...".
Could we consider, the Jewelry narrative, next time round, in a world without war and economic crisis events in the future, by considering the grammar of her?
Have You Seen the Jewel of the Month Yet?
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