Ancient jewelry is ancient history. Jewelry is here on Earth from as long as we can remember. The first findings about ancient civilizations clearly indicate some jewelry of some sort. They now make for great discoveries and help us find more about our ancestors.
Let’s just admit that in previous times jewelry had a real significance, had more symbolism than nowadays when let’s say we put all the emphasis on the aesthetics.
But even today just like in the ancient times, jewelry clearly indicates one social status (it’s not the same to have a diamond bracelet as compared to a zirconium or glass bracelet, even if the design is not strikingly different). In the past jewelry was a clear indicator of social status, heritage and descent. It also happens today but on a lesser scale as jewelry becomes so affordable and accessible, and since jewelry fashion has taken us forwards from jewelry cliches, preconceptions and everything is now possible. Just as well as a normal person, a famous star may feel like wearing plastic earrings, embracing it’s liberty to choose.
Ancient jewelry had generally a symbolic significance. It used to depict everyday life symbols, animals and they clearly state the advancement of technology. With the time the means to create jewelry have become more precise and this advancement can be seem easily. Ancient jewelry was unrefined and quite simple, but as civilization developed so did jewelry. Jewelry was very specific for each civilization even if some may share similar symbols. Religion had a great influence in the designs. That’s why it’s easy to say Egyptian jewelry is different from roman jewelry, even if these civilization were interconnected. Influences broke boundaries and nowadays, they represent less a certain culture but more an artistic individual, as we call it… a designer.
But keep in mind, jewelry with meaning or sentimental value is more than just jewelry, it’s a story, it becomes history.
One Response to “Ancient jewelry”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Reply