Glass Flower Amulet
A Brief History of Jewelry
Mankind is fascinated by beauty, and enraptured by it they long to possess objects that are beautiful. This is an innate trait in human beings; one that so distinctly separates us from the rest of the animals. Even early barbarous men were desirous of decorating themselves and the very first forms of jewelry were shells, animal teeth and bones strung together. Mollusk jewelry, dating back to the Middle Stone Ages, has been discovered in caves of South Africa. The longing to own a thing of beauty and to adorn oneself with it is no means a recent development.
Jewelry has come a long way from shells and bones; it’s fascinating how the art of body adornment using decorative objects has evolved through time.
Purpose of Jewelry
Jewelry serves many purposes other than to serve as mere decorations. Over the ages, they have been used to symbolize wealth, used as currency, fashion accessory and also to serve as a form of artistic expression.
Precious metals and stones were used from very early ages as a sign of wealth and opulence. Royalty have always used jewelry as a means for securing and consolidating wealth and even to the present day, some of the most precious pieces of jewelry are antiques. Royal jewels rank among the most expensive and luxurious assets of all times.
Many forms of jewelry that we use today have their genesis as purely functional pieces. Pins, brooches and buckles were initially created to serve specific practical purposes, but they later evolved into more decorative versions and began to be considered as jewelry for adornment. Jewelry has also been an important part in religion and social groups, to signify membership in a group and the status within.
Egyptian Jewelry
It would be apt to call Egypt the originating point of modern jewelry as we see it today. Many artisans in Egypt engaged themselves in perfecting the artistic skills and techniques involved in creating beautiful pieces of jewelry. While artistry was valued, the primary purpose of Egyptian jewelry was to serve as talismans and amulets that ward off evil.
Gold was extensively used to make jewelry because it was readily available and because of its color and dazzle. Egyptians placed prime value on color and gemstones in jewelry. Gemstones were believed to possess mystical powers which would transfer to the person wearing them.
Perhaps one of the most popular and well known symbols of Egyptian jewelry is the sacred Egyptian scarab. Several pieces of jewelry were made in the form of scarabs.
Tutankhamun’s tomb, discovered in early 1900s, contained many gold funerary artifacts that speak eloquently of the craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian jewelry makers.
Greece and Rome
Beads shaped like flowers, shells and beetles were made extensively by the Greeks. They made multicolored jewelry using amethysts, garnets, pearls and other gemstones. Glass and enamel were also widely used. Filigree gold work was also recurring motif in ancient Greek jewelry.
Italians produced granulated and textured gold work as early as eighth century BC. They made necklaces, bracelets, earrings and perfume filled hollow pendants. The Romans also used 18 and 24 carat gold as currency.
Middle Age
Middle Age was the time when Christianity emerged as the prominent religion. Jewelry made during this time often carried motifs and symbols of Christian faith. The Christian monasteries were in fact responsible for producing most of the jewelry during this time. Monasteries then had to support themselves financially through trade, and jewelry making was one of the preferred crafts.
But Celtic cultures in Ireland, largely unaffected by Christianity, still continued to maintain their own unique style and manufacturing methods. Celtic designs are quite popular now though little is known about their culture due to unavailability of recorded history.
Renaissance
The Renaissance period was commonly known as the ‘Jewel Age,’ and the role that jewelry played slowly began to be restricted only for adorning the body and not to symbolize cultural and religious beliefs. Jewelry was collected to protect wealth due to its inherent value and ease of converting to liquid cash. Since the focus was on enhancing the physical appearance of the wearer, intricate jewelry using attractive gemstones were created during this period. Diamonds became hugely popular during this period.
From 17th Century
Wealth held by the general public began to increase during this period and social norms were also relaxed. This meant that the jewelry that were earlier restricted only to the upper class and forbidden for the lower strata of the society could be freely worn by all. Popularity of diamonds continued and many new methods of cutting diamonds were perfected. It was during this time that floral and animal designs became quite popular. Many jewelry pieces were created in floral patterns using brightly colored gemstones and the trend continues to the present day.
The industrial revolution precipitated faster fashion and trends in jewelry, most of the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, retro and Edwardian jewelry crafted during this period are popular even to this day.
Now and the Future
Jewelry is now predominantly used for personal adornment, to make a unique style statement and for artistic expression. The tools and materials for producing jewelry are also available and affordable. Jewelry is mass produced and gemstones and precious metals are readily obtainable and reasonably priced now. Even synthetic materials which make artificial stones rival the beauty and appearance of the naturally occurring ones. Social barriers in wearing jewelry no longer exists, the melting pot of cultures that the world is today has also given rise to a wide variety of designs and styles.
Styles and trends change with lightning speed as jewelry designers vie to create better designs with every season. Jewelry is now a form of personal expression and the variety in styles and designs will only continue to grow in future.
About the Author
Suvarna is passionate about Jewelry and has been an avid reader in this field so far. Her interest has been in Fashion Jewelry, Bridal Jewelry and the likes. Participating in events organized for Jewelry and Fashion is something she likes a lot apart from writing on this subject. Having a passion for diamond jewelry that has been imbibed from her mother gives her a great inclination for writing in this subject.
Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Best Kept Secrets: Popular Santa Barbara Summer Vacation Events
In addition to spectacular beaches and mountainscapes, summer vacation in Santa Barbara boasts such an abundance of fun and exciting events that draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy unique activities and stay at Santa Barbara vacation rental homes and properties.
Santa Barbara hosts too many events to list here, but this preview of Santa Barbara summer vacation 2010 events (from May 1-September 1) is a good place to start. There's something for everyone. These diverse multicultural, artsy, wine, beach and food events show why so many people are drawn to the unique character of Santa Barbara.
Of course, some of these Santa Barbara summer vacation events draw thousands of people, and most vacationers in the know want to avoid the crush of a hotel and opt for the ease and convenience of a luxury Santa Barbara vacation rental. You can walk all your gear into a Santa Barbara vacation rental home a lot easier than you can get your surfboard up a crowded hotel elevator. And if you want to bring your dog, a Santa Barbara vacation rental home is an ideal choice for a super Santa Barbara summer vacation. Just take a look at what each month has to offer and keep in mind that summer is our most popular season so you should book your Santa Barbara vacation rental home as soon as you can.
Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Summer Vacation Events for May 2010:
January 30, 2010 - May 30, 2010 - Delacroix to Monet: Masterpieces of 19th-Century Painting from the Walters Art Museum: Assembled over more than 140 years, the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore entails one of the finest holdings of 19th-century paintings in the United States. The only west coast venue for the exhibition, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is pleased to present 40 works from this renowned collection. Details at: www.sbma.net
April 28 - May 2, 2010 - "Sweet Home Santa Barbara" Fair & Expo: The 21st annual Santa Barbara Fair & Expo is at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. There's a lot of excitement on the menu from appetizing carnival rides to delicious fair treats to farm animals and livestock. Details at: www.sbfairandexpo.com.
April 29 - May 2, 2010 - 2010 AVP Tour Santa Barbara Open: The world's best men and women volleyball players will compete in Santa Barbara. Tickets will go fast. Details at: www.avp.com.
May 1, 2010 - 5th Annual Women's Literary Festival: Located at the beautiful Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, Santa Barbara's Women's Literary Festival celebrates readers and women writers with a day of interactive presentations and book signings. The mission of the Women's Literary Festival is to present the work of contemporary female authors from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences at a yearly conference. The Festival celebrates diversity, literacy and social justice. Details at: womensliteraryfestival.com
May 1, 2010 - May 15, 2010 - 10th Annual Santa Barbara Sea Festival: Make plans now to celebrate Santa Barbara's beautiful ocean. Festival founder the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum launches an expanded festival, this year running two full weeks. The celebration kicks off May 1-2 with the Santa Barbara Choral Society and Orchestra performing Ralph Vaughan-Williams' stirring A Sea Symphony at the beautifully restored Granada Theater (performances Saturday May 1 at 8 pm and Sunday May 2 at 3 pm), and ends with the SB Maritime Museum's hands-on Sea Festival events on May 15 at the Harbor. (Rumor has it that there may even be a visit by a tall ship!) In between, the calendar is packed with two-weeks of sea-themed family fun around town, include Ty Warner Sea Center's Sensational Seafood event, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art's special 'find the seascape' family activities, and the Downtown Organization's sea-themed First Thursday with participating business and restaurants all joining in the fun! Details at: sbseafestival.com
May 1-2, 2010 - Cinco De Mayo: The Nineteenth Annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place in Plaza de la Guerra and at the Casa de la Guerra. This year's celebration will be Santa Barbara's biggest and best event yet. There will be even more great music, dance, savory food, and a kids' corner full of activities. Details at: www.cincodemayosb.com
May 15, 2010 - Buttonwood Farm Vineyard Crawfish Boil: Laissez les bons temps rouler! It's spring and that means the crawfish boil is back. Treat yourself to a unique wine country event in this vineyard by the pond. Don't miss this true Louisiana-style crawfish boil complete with all the trimmings, live Zydeco music, and award-winning estate grown wines. Details at: www.sbcountywines.com
May 16, 2010 - Wheels & Waves: 11th Annual Classic Car And Hot Rod Show: 400 hot rods and classic cars from across America will be on display for one day only at the 11th Annual Wheels & Waves car show. Over 40,000 people jammed State Street last year and 2010 promises to be just as spectacular. There will be live music, raffles, awards and tons of the coolest cars you've ever seen. Details at: www.wheelsandwaves.com
May 27, 2010 - Downtown Art & Wine Tour: Eat, drink and be merry at the Downtown Art & Wine Tour. The tour offers participants an opportunity for leisurely strolling between downtown art galleries to see the latest exhibits, taste dishes from downtown restaurants and sample wines from leading Santa Barbara County vintners. This popular event is a community favorite and a complete sell-out each year! Details at: www.santabarbaradowntown.com
May 29 - May 31, 2010 - I Madonnari: Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Mission Plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. Santa Barbara is proud to be the first to bring this romantic festival to the western hemisphere from our sister festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Admission is free. Details at: www.imadonnarifestival.com
Santa Barbara Vacation Rental's Summer Vacation Events for June 2010:
June 23-27, 2010 - Lompoc Flower Festival: Santa Barbara's beautiful flower show delights more than the local bees. Details at: www.flowerfestival.org
June 25, 2010 - Santa Barbara Museum of Art:
- Celebrate visual geometry, contrast and texture inspired by Brett Weston
- Out of the Shadow A special performance by String Theory and KCRW's DJ Jason Bentley
- The Nude in Nature Collective Submissions, Landscaping the Body: Botanical Couture, and Negative Spaces
- Shadow Boxes
- Join the night's after-party at Coast at the Canary Hotel for late dinner and cocktails until 11 pm!
June 25th & 26th, 2010 - Summer Solstice Parade: Santa Barbara's Summer Solstice Celebration has evolved into creative and original display of floats, giant puppets, whimsical costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants, of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. There is dancing, music, drumming and drama to enthrall spectators. The Summer Solstice Parade features mouthwatering foods and thirst-quenching beverages from local restaurants, an arts and crafts boutique with more than 75 vendors and a large "drum circle" formed by parade participants and anyone else who cares to join in the beat (Saturday only). The wonderful floats from the parade are parked along Micheltorena Street for close-up inspection on Saturday only until approximately 4:30 pm. Beer and Wine Garden Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday noon to 7 pm. Details: www.solsticeparade.com
Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Summer Vacation Events for July 2010:
July 7-July 18, 2010 - Santa Barbara National Horse Show: July 7-10, 2010 - Multi-Breed Show; July 14-18, 2010 - Hunter-Jumper Show. For more than 80 years, the Santa Barbara National Horse Show has been a grand tradition. The Santa Barbara National Horse Show, now held at the Earl Warren showgrounds, is the oldest horse show in the West, and one of the most prestigious in the nation, as well as the premier American Saddlebred horse show on the west coast. Details at: www.earlwarren.com.
July 15, 2010 - Old Spanish Nights - Tapas and Wine Tasting: This new and exciting event precedes Santa Barbara's world-famous "Old Spanish Days" Fiesta by a few weeks. In the spirit of Fiesta, the night is charged with exciting Spanish music, passionate flamenco dancing and spicy tapas appetizers. Santa Barbara County's finest wines will be spotlighted along with hot Spanish imports! Don't miss this festive upscale event! Details at californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html
July 16, 2010 - Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting: This romantic evening of rare wine tasting begins with a champagne reception under the stars at Santa Barbara's charming old-world carousel at Chase Palm Park Plaza. Extremely limited reserve level wines are matched with gourmet appetizers from top local chefs, artisan cheeses, even fresh strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain. Details at: californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html
July 17, 2010 - Beachside Wine Festival: This is the "Biggest Wine Festival Under the Sun" in Santa Barbara! A spectacular gathering of over 200 of California's finest wines from every wine region in the state, showcasing a total of over 350 fine wines at a sunny beach front location. Over 2,500 wine fans will grab their glasses and start swirling and sipping just a Frisbee throw away from the sparkling Pacific, while live music on stage keeps the party going. Details at: californiawinefestival.com/eventschedule.html
July 17 & 18, 2010 - The 23rd Annual French Festival: Bastille Day weekend includes a celebration of French culture at Oak Park. Food, music, entertainment -- c'est magnifique! Smiling families dine at sidewalk cafés with checkered tablecloths and umbrellas. Starry-eyed couples toast each other with wine. Artists wearing bérets paint at their easels. The air is filled with music, laughter and the tempting aromas of French cuisine. Surely this must be France? Actually, it's the 23nd Annual French Festival in Santa Barbara, Saturday and Sunday, July 17 & 18 (Bastille Day Weekend), from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Santa Barbara's Oak Park. Admission is free. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend. Details at: www.frenchfestival.com
June 19, 2010 - Fiddlehead Cellars' FiddleFest!: FiddleFest returns this year, and it's not to be missed! It's an exploration and celebration of Fiddlestix Vineyard: the place, the people, the wines and the feeling. The people who craft a Fiddlestix designated Pinot Noir will pour their wines at the famous Fiddlestix Barn located at mile marker 7.28 on Santa Rosa Rd, smack dab in the middle of the phenomenal Santa Rita Hills. There is fantastic food a-plenty and, of course, a fiddlin' good time! Details at: www.sbcountywines.com
June 19, 2010 - Lucas & Lewellen Summer BBQ at Valley View Vineyard: This annual summer barbecue is an event as unforgettable as the host, the Dirtman himself! Visit with Louis Lucas, Royce Lewellen, Megan McGrath Gates, and your Lucas & Lewellen friends while savoring new Lucas & Lewellen and Mandolina wine releases, a wine country barbecue, live music by Mike Shelton and the gorgeous view of the Valley View Vineyard. Please reserve early as seating is limited. Details at: www.sbcountywines.com
July 31- August 1 - The 37th Annual Greek Festival: This year's 37th annual Greek Festival features music and dancing all day long, but the real center stage belongs to the delicious Greek cuisine. Spanakopita, moussaka, souvlaki and gyros provide a delicious lunch or dinner for festival-goers. Don't forget to save room for dessert! Who could resist trays upon trays of baklava and other honeyed delicacies that will bring back memories of warm nights in the Greek Islands. Details at: www.santabarbaragreekfestival.com
Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals' Summer Vacation Events for August 2010:
August 4, 2010 - August 8, 2010 - Old Spanish Days Fiesta: Join Santa Barbara in celebrating 86 years of tradition. This cultural event is filled with Spanish and Mexican dancing at the Old Mission and County Courthouse, marketplaces with local food and gift vendors, live music performances and a carnival. Experience one of the largest equestrian parades in the country after a night at the Professional Bull Riders Rodeo. Viva la Fiesta! Details at: www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.
August 20, 2010 - Santa Barbara Museum of Art: Surrender to taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing by focusing on five: five works from the permanent collection explored through the five senses. Highlights include: The Scent of Memory Opera, The Synaesthesia Stylists/the Science of Signs Senses Lab, Perseus by Night Amulets, and Candyland(scapes). Join the night's after-party at Coast at the Canary Hotel. Details at: www.sbmuseart.org
August 21, 2010 - 10th Annual Woodies at the Beach: Classic wood-paneled cars at Santa Barbara City College's West Campus. Great for the whole family. Details at: www.nationalwoodieclub.com/chapter_sbarb.htm.
ONGOING
Santa Barbara Bowl: This 4,562-seat amphitheater was carved into the hillside in 1936 and is nestled in a wooded canyon known for its spectacular views and concert-friendly weather. www.sbbowl.com or 805-962-7411
Santa Barbara Music Academy of the West: Summer Festival details at www.musicacademy.org or 805-969-4726
Concerts in the Park: Chase Palm Park (Thursdays) and Alameda Park (Sundays).
Santa Barbara Farmers Market - State Street: Each week the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year 'round, rain or shine. Music and entertainment enliven the markets while creating a positive ambiance. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified - the only way to buy! Details at: www.sbfarmersmarket.org.
Historic House & Garden Tour: These 90-minute tours show you some of the best homes and gardens Santa Barbara has to offer. Details at: www.casadelherrero.com
Santa Barbara has hundreds of more summer vacation events including music, cultural, family-friendly, comedy, sporting, etc. Your best bet to find the most current summer vacation events is going to SantaBarbara.com. Whichever event you plan your Santa Barbara summer vacation around, remember that you'll want a home base that allows you to unwind and relax in your own private space. A Santa Barbara vacation rental home will be your own calm oasis for your stimulating Santa Barbara summer vacation. Many Santa Barbara vacation rental homes are within easy walking distance to some of these summer vacation events and a Santa Barbara vacation rental concierge can help book reservations and tickets, plus provide insider tips on how to get the most out of each Santa Barbara summer vacation event.
About the Author
Graham Farraris a Santa Barbara local with specialized knowledge in the popular destination's attractions and activities. He is a Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals expert and offers tips and advice for traveling to Santa Barbara on the www.sbluxuryrentals.com blog.
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