Currency, Wealth display and Storage
Through history, various cultures developed at some point had a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewelry. At first, this wealth stored in jewelry was actually the marriage dowry given to the young girl at her wedding.
Coins were worn on women’s necks, waist or hair in the form of jewelry. Gold, silver and bronze coins made clear the level of wealth the wearer had. This kind of jewelry was a practical form also to store or display valuable coins. Alternatively, jewelry has been used as a currency or trade good; an example being the use of slave beads.
Functional use (cuff links, clasps, pins and buckles)
Even if during various ages’ jewelry items were elements of special beautification, the practical use is the most ancient and natural of all the functions. Jewelry initially had a practical use for clothes wearing because they used to pin materials together in order to make them wearable.
As fashion evolved and ingenious means of getting dressed became common, functional items of accessories and jewelry evolved into decorative items. As their functional requirement diminished, jewelry became tightly related with the growth of dress fashion.
Symbolism
Jewelry is used to show membership or status. We all know that when it comes to marital status, by tradition, the most common item of jewelry are engagement rings and wedding rings.
Jewelry can be symbolic of group membership like the Christian crucifix or Jewish Star of David, or of status, like in the case of chains of office.
Source: www.en.wikipedia.org
Leave a Reply