Category Archives: Historical Jewelry

Beads, The Beauty And The History

Beads

Beads

A bead is a small, decorative object that is usually pierced for threading or stringing. The word bead comes from the Anglo Saxon words bidden (to pray) and bede (prayer.) The history of beads is long and rich. Beads can be made of many types of materials. The earliest beads were made of convenient natural materials; when found, these could be readily drilled and shaped. As human technology became capable of obtaining or working with more difficult natural materials, those were added to the range of available substances. The same was true of new synthetic materials when created. In modern manufacturing, the most common bead materials are wood, plastic, glass, metal, and stone.

Glass was discovered about 3,400 years ago, and since then has become a very important material for the bead-maker, user and wearer.

A pair of beads made from Nassarius sea snail shells, approximately 100,000 years old, are thought to be the earliest known examples of jewellery. Beadwork is the art or craft of making things with beads. Beads can be woven together with specialized thread, strung onto thread or soft, flexible wire, or adhered to a surface (e.g. fabric, clay).

Beads may be divided into several types of overlapping categories, based on different criteria such as component materials, manufacturing process, place or period of origin, surface patterning, or general shape. In some cases, such as millefiori and cloisonné beads, multiple categories may overlap in an inseparably interdependent fashion.

Prayer beads are known world-wide, and help the user recite prayers and keep track of the sequence and number of the prayers. Worry beads, also common around the world, help with decision-making, and keep the hands busy. Beads continue to be used as talismans to protect the wearer against evil, and as amulets to bring wisdom and fortune.

The history of beads dates as far back as 40,000 years with the advent of modern people. They have been made by every culture since then.

In North America, the use of beads and their manufacture was limited to a difficult production in gold, jade, bone, blue-green stone turquoise and hand polished shell beads. Thousands of years prior to European contact, geographical location determined the kinds of beads produced. Prehistoric Southwestern cultures traded turquoise throughout the western regions and into Mexico. Marine shells from the Florida coasts were traded north and made into beads in Illinois. They were distributed to the agricultural societies of the Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois River valleys about A.D. 1100.

Historically, beadworking was part of a social pastime where friends and family would bead together at the same table and discuss the issues of the day or just socialize. Today, cosmopolitan issues generally overtake friends and families and the individual must find time for the craft.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

The History Of Wristwatch

The History Of Wristwatch

Wristwatch

A watch is a timepiece that is made to be worn on a person. It is usually a wristwatch, worn on the wrist with a strap or bracelet. In addition to the time, modern watches often display the day, date, month and year, and electronic watches may have many other functions.

Before wristwatches became popular in the 1920s, most watches were pocket watches, which often had covers and were carried in a pocket and attached to a watch chain or watch fob. Watches evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century.

In the present day, a wristwatch is not just a device to tell time, it has rather become a status icon. This is because with the increasing popularity of cell phones and pagers with small clocks, the wristwatch is just used as a fashion entity rather than being an object of function. Nowadays, expensive watch brands include Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Tag Heuer, and Omega. Rich business persons and officials are found usually wearing one of these brands.

However, the scene was different almost 100 years ago. People were never found wearing expensive wristwatches, instead rich men always carried pocket watches, with a gold half-hunter, which was the status symbol at that time. Women also wore pendants attached to their jackets and corsets. Wristwatches were known as Wristlets and were mostly worn by women at that time.

Louis Cartier, the kind of watch that we see today, made the first watch. He made the first watch for the flying hero Santos Dumont. After this, by the year 1911, these watches came in the market and became popular among people. To this day watches almost look like the same as they were back then.

Soon after this, the designs began to be modified. From the classical round shape that had been in fashion, new shapes and sizes started to be introduced. New companies introduced new shapes. Movado is the company that came out with the new “Polyplan” shaped watch. Patek Philippe made the first rectangular shaped clock.

The most famous wristwatch of all times is the Rolex. In 1920s, Rolex introduced the dual time feature for the first time, in which the seconds’ sector was larger than that of minutes. Jaeger Le Coultre introduced a watch, which could turn 180 degrees within its case, thus providing a shield for the crystal and dial. It became very popular instantly, but its strength was lost by the recession in 1930s and starting of the Second World War.

Watches made between 1910s and 1930s are the type of watches we see today. Brands like Rolex, Cartier, Jaeger Le Coultre , Omega and the others mentioned in the article are among the most expensive and collectible varieties.

In conclusion, from pocket watch to a fashion accessory. What was once, in the earliest years of portable watches, considered to be unsuitable for men and only for women, has developed today into a fashion utensil that everyone has. In the meantime, the wristwatch is no longer only a tool to tell the time. It is a designer piece and can indicate much more than the time.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

The Toe Ring

Toe Ring

Toe Ring

A toe ring is a Ring made out of various metals and non-metals worn on any of the toes. The second toe of either foot is where they are worn most commonly. In most western countries they are a relatively new fashion accessory. There is not a symbolic meaning for wearing toe rings. They are only regarded to be a new fashion jewelry; they often accompany barefoot sandals, anklets, barefeet or flip flops.

Practicing Hindu women in India have implemented the tradition of wearing a toe ring as a cultural aspect of marriage. This is comparably similar to the aspect of Western civilization’s traditional wedding band worn on the finger. These toe rings are typically won on the second toe of the right foot and will be set in silver, symbolic of respect. Such rings designated to this tradition are called “bichiya”. Set in richly elaborate detailing within classic elements, some modern women of India choose a contemporary design as well. Tradition does not permit unmarried women of India to wear toe rings.

While Hindu tradition calls for toe rings as a ritual practice of their cultural beliefs, popularity within United States has soared simply as a fashion statement and an attractive accessory in footwear.Toe rings were introduced to the United States by Marjorie Borell who, after returning from India began manufacturing and selling them in New York in 1973. Her first retail outlet was Fiorucci, a trendy fashion retailer located on 59th Street in New York. The “Original Toe Ring Boutique” sold toe rings in silver, gold and with diamonds.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

The History Of Ankle Bracelet

Leg Bracelet

Ankle Bracelet

Rings, arm bracelets, charms, earrings, and necklaces have always been a popular and noticeable form of accessory for women, but anklets that have also been around for a long time add a certain flair to a woman’s appearance. A woman wearing an anklet with a summer dress or with a swimsuit could have an even more interesting appearance than another woman wearing the same apparel.

Leg bracelet, an anklet ankle chain, or ankle bracelet is an ornament worn around the ankle. Barefoot anklets and toe rings historically have been worn for centuries by girls and women in Egypt and Arab world especially in Bedouin and countryside and married women in India, though in the United States both casual and more formal anklets became fashionable in the late twentieth century.

Ankle bracelets or anklets have always been a popular accessory adorning girls’ and women’s ankles for decades. First worn in India, the fashion of wearing these ankle bracelets have evolved to the Western countries. In the early 50’s, these thin chains have been became a sign of rebellion, and the trend of using them has caught on. In time, women started to wear these chains for a more modern and sexy appearance. Variations of these chains were then designed for each decade, and these anklets never looked better. What better way to show off their sexy calves and legs than with an anklet. They add charm and elegance to whatever you are wearing.

There are ancient civilization that recorded to be the consuming for ankle bracelet:

The ancient Sumerians lived in the Mesopotamian region about 4500 years ago. Unearthed Sumerian graves shows that this civilization was the first in recorded history to leave evidence of wearing bracelets, including ankle bracelets. It is believed that the wearing of jewelry by a wife showed how wealthy her husband was. Graves also reveal the Sumerians wore finger rings, toe rings and necklaces.

The rich and the poor of ancient Egypt both enjoyed wearing jewelry, including anklets. Egyptian royalty wore anklets made of precious stones and metals. The upper eschelon of ancient Egypt were well known for coveting beautiful pieces of jewelry and were very trendy and interested in fashion. The poorer people in Egypt also wore ankle bracelets, but these were inexpensive and may even been used to display amulets or lucky talismans. Later centuries would call these pieces of jewelry charm bracelets.

It’s believed that the styles of ancient times traveled down the Silk Road. Jewelry dealers brought bracelets, including anklets, to the empire of Persia. The archaeological site known as the Golden Mound yielded over 20,000 pieces of fine Persian jewelry. Many of the pieces contained precious gems like lapis lazuli and amethyst.

Indians have worn ankle bracelets for centuries. Their love for this jewelry is even instilled in their literature. The story of Shilappadikaram tells a fanciful story of an unfaithful husband who briefly falls in love with a woman who wears a magic anklet. Today’s Indian wedding customs still include wearing anklet bracelets as a part of the ceremonial wedding garments. Indian women wear some of the most extravagant anklets in the world featuring lots of tiny chains, bells and charms. Silver is a popular medium for Indian anklet bracelets.

The ankle bracelet became popular in the United States in the twentieth century. In the 1950s bobby sockers wore the jewelry to enhance their white socks. In the 1970s, women began wearing anklets that featured their name or initials. While they can be worn by men or women, the ankle bracelet continues to be more popular with women. Today, you can purchase any type of ankle bracelet, from a simple hemp strand to a delicate golden filigree rope. Anklets are considered a permanent fixture of American fashion.

There are various kinds of anklets. There are gold anklets, custom or personalized anklets, anklets with diamonds or other gems, beaded anklets, shell anklets, leather anklets, sterling silver anklets flexible or hinged anklets and stretch, and weave or locking anklets.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

Kandari Traditional Bugis Jewelry

Kandari Gold - Bugis People

Kandari Gold

Kandari is typical of jewelry which particularly belongs to Bugis people in South Sulawesi province, Indonesia.

Kandari has a very unique design and traditionally hand made. Kandari has become a tradition which passed down through generations within Bugis people. The characteristic is located on the gold braid-like threads that make up in particular model. Such as flowers, leaves, and even can also Borobudur temple motive.

The process is start from decomposing the gold chunk into thread and then make it together into one model of design, and the craft men are using traditional method in every step of the process.

Theprocess of making kandari is passing two stages, which is; the manufacture of the framework is done by men and the workmanship of field is done by women. Because it is not using any modern machine, the making of kandari takes quite a long time.

Another distinctive feature of Kandari is in its color. Kandari has brighter yellow gold than any gold in common. In fact, Bugis people are prefer like to have more “blink-blink” in their jewelry.


www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

Betawi Bride Accessories

Betawi Bride Crown

Betawi Bride Accessories

Betawi, one of Indonesian culture, which is mostly live in Jakarta. They have interesting outfit regarding their marriage appearance. The integration of various cultural elements appear in a wedding dress of Betawi woman who impressed so festive.

Beside the dress and make up, Betawi bride has something particular on their wedding dress, which are the accessories. The using of headdress is quite complex. One of them is siangko veiled that symbolizes a girl’s chastity.

Siangko veiled always in golden color, because originally it made of gold, or silver material. Usually decorated with precious stones, even diamonds. The veil is 30 cm long, made of beads. Apart from the veiled, other siangko has 3 pieces. Used as a cover behind the siangko veiled.

Siangko veiled that serves to cover the bride’s face is a symbol of holiness, symbolized by the bride’s face should not be seen by someone else. On top of this Siangko veiled, there is Sigar or crown with motifs of flowers filled with jewels. Other hair ornaments are flower nail or nail puncture about 10 or more which is intended as a repellent reinforcements.

There are also 5 plugs flowers or kembang tancep, that symbolizes pillars of Islam, the obligation to be performed by the bride as a Muslim. Moreover, there are 20 pieces of kembang goyang or flutter flower ornament that put together with 2-4 pieces of coconut flower that is placed on the left and right bun.. They are 20 because it symbolizes the recognition of the greatness of God’s 20 properties, which shall be revealed and taught to children later descendants; the coconut flower is a symbol of hope for marriages that do remain strong, strong like a coconut tree, so it will be a lasting, prosperous and happy marriage.

Phoenix decoration or known as a big flower is also should not be missed. The number four symbolizes the four Rasullullah’s companions, Prophet Muhammad SAW. Meanwhile, the phoenix itself regarded as a symbol of paradise bird that symbolizes happiness of the bride and groom. The location of the phoenix also has its own meaning, relating to the match between the family of the bride and groom.

Beside the bride’s headdress, there is one form of jewelry that is believed have magical powers is a sunting or sumping ear. If the sunting is worn by a bride who is not a virgin or not a girl anymore, then the user will be headache, feel dizziness and even fainting.

Beside sumping as a complement to support harmony, there is also a pair of ear bride kerabu. Kerabu is a combination between earrings and studs which are rolled together, and pierce or tusuk konde.

In addition to jewelry to the head, the bride also wore a dispersive necklace jewelry that used circular neck above the lotus Betawi. Listring bangles and bracelets, and gold rings jewelry to garnish arm, wrist and finger of the bride.

Originally, all of the jewelry that worn by the Betawi bride made of gold and decorated with diamonds. Today, however, generally those are only gold gilding, while the more decorative uses beads.
But they are still beautiful indeed.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

Uncal Necklace

Uncal Neckace

Uncal Necklace

Uncal necklace was an attribute from Kutai Martadipura from Mulawarman reign. It wore by the Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara after the Kingdom of Kutai Martadipura was successfully conquered and united with the Kingdom of Kutai Kartanegara.

It made from 18 carat gold and the weigh is 170 grams. The necklace is decorated with reliefs of the Ramayana story.

According to history, the possibility Uncal necklace was from India. In Indian language necklace was called Unchele and in this world there are only 2 pieces or one pair, which was one for men and for woman.

Currently, this necklace is the only one in India. According to the Indian ambassador who give visit Tenggarong in 1954, the Uncal necklace in Kutai having the same form, manner and size with a necklace Unchele that exists in India. Thus, there is a possibility that King Mulawarman Nala was one of the descendants of the Kings of India in the past and bring the necklace Uncal to Kutai district.


www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

The Royal Crown Of Kutai Kartanegara

The Crown Of Kutai Kartanegara

Kutai Kartanegara Crown

Kutai Kartanegara kingdom was the eldest kingdom in Indonesia history, and officially at recent time located in Tenggarong city, East Borneo province. The first King was Aji Batara Agung Dewa Sakti in 1300-1325. Like a common king, he has power and, or course, he has a crown that symbolize his authority as a king.

The crown of Kutai Kartanegara is being called as Ketopong. It was made by gold and precious gemstone. It had shape named brunjungan and in the front side was in storeyed shape, adorned with curls or spiral motif. In back form the shape was like an eagle ornament decorated with carved floral Mungkur, deer and birds. It has 2 Kg weight. This ketopong was first used by Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman in 1845-1899.

It is estimated that the crown was made in the mid-19th century by goldsmiths of the Kutai Kartanegara kingdom. Sultan Sulaiman has 6 to 8 goldsmith who was hired specifically to make any gold and silver for the Sultan.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com

The History Of Bracelet

Women Bracelet

Bracelet

As we know, a bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from leather, cloth, hemp, plastic or metal, and sometimes contain rocks, wood, and/or shells. The earliest known bracelets dated back to 2500 BC, it worn by the ancient Sumerians of Southern Mesopotamia. Bracelets, along with other jewelry like anklets, earrings, necklaces, and rings, were worn by the women to show off the wealth of their husbands. As such, they were a symbol of status, much like some jewelry is to this day.

Bracelets were enjoyed for many centuries after this time but emerged as highly coveted pieces of jewelry in Ancient Egypt in 2000 BC. During the Georgian times bracelets remained popular. Paris jewelers were known for their gold bracelets set with pearl edging. At early Victorian jewelry enjoyed some mystic with hidden meanings being popular. The acrostic bracelets where the first letter of each gemstone spelled a word of friendship were very popular. For example a bracelet set with Lapis, Opal, Vermeil [hessonite garnet] and Emerald would spell Love.

The history of bracelets spans ages, reaching up to the present time. They have been crafted from different materials, and have always been popular, bracelets have varied according to dress styles and, of course,dictated by fashion, not only for women but men also.

From 1910 to 1939 women’s fashions saw sleeveless or short sleeve dresses appear. The result was flexible bracelets and bangles worn on the upper arm. These arm bracelets were often adorned with gemstones or diamonds. From 1940 to 1949 US designers were greatly influenced by the designs from the French house of Van Cleef & Arpels. Bracelets with ribbon of hexagon lines centered on fine gemstones fastened with heavy clasps became very vogue.

From the 1980s to the present, bracelet fashions have been mixed and varied. Bracelet styles have become more of an individual fashion statement than a trend. Gold has always remained popular, as have gems, however sterling silver has become very popular and recognized for its versatility and wearability at affordable prices. In the last few years we’ve also seen an increase in demand for titanium bracelets. While, today a woman’s fashion statement is about her. What she likes, what she feels good in.

www.indonesiajewelry.com

The History Of Earring

Early Earring

Earring

Earrings are jewelry attached to the ear through a piercing in the earlobe or some other external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Earrings are worn by both sexes. In western cultures, earrings have traditionally been worn primarily by women, although in recent decades, ear piercing has also become popular among men in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Ear piercing has been a part of human culture ever since the earliest hunter-gatherer tribes. Though the phrase “ear piercing” most often refers to a single hole in the earlobe, there are at least eight other locations for the ear to be pierced. There is the helix of the ear, also called the “cartilage” (an inaccurate term, as the entire ear is made of cartilage), which is the most common place to get a piercing, aside from the lobe. All piercings in the upper part of the ear are referred to as cartilage piercings.

The process of having your cartilage pierced is usually more elaborate and painful than a piercing in the lobe. Earrings, studs, and loops for ear piercings are made out of a wide variety of materials. These include metal, plastic, wood, stone, and glass. Many earrings are fairly cheap, and can be bought almost anywhere. Other earrings are expensive, especially if they have been crafted using rare, high quality materials, such as gold, silver, platinum, and EGL loose diamonds or other precious stones.

In recorded history, earrings have been traced back to the ancient city of Perspolis, Persia, where the illustrations on the walls depict soldiers wearing earrings. The oldest earrings ever discovered were crafted in 2500 BC Iraq. During the Dark Ages, when most of the populace was impoverished, the popularity of earrings and other pieces of jewelry sharply declined. As nations rose again, especially during the Roman Empire, jewelry was crafted and worn with gusto as a sign of status and luxury. The popularity of earrings also largely depended on the fashions that prevailed at the time.

During the 1850s, earrings lost popularity once again. Hair was tied behind the head, covering the ears, or bonnets and hats were worn. In addition, the religious and social sentiments of the time associated earrings with heathens, vanity, and excess. With the 1920s came the advent of the clip-on earring, causing ear piercing to fall more out of favor. However, during this time, small groups of males were fond of piercing their ears. Sailors especially saw earrings as a symbol of their seafaring adventures.

www.IndonesiaJewelry.com