Beautiful brooch depicting Frog on a leaf, colored stones and diamonds in yellow gold. Frog inspired jewellery

Frog inspired jewellery
Traditionally, in many nations frog played the role of amulets and talismans of fertility, preservation of sexual power. Dried frogs even today serve as a home wards in South-East Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand. In China, where the frogs are called “heavenly chicken”, their figures are made of jade, as talisman of long life and wisdom. In Latin America, the frogs are considered fore mothers, and therefore protectors of all human spirit.
More »

Sun and Moon sacred power. Azza Fahmy Diamond Crescent Star ring, 18-carat gold, sterling silver, diamonds

Among the most ancient cults in the history of mankind is the worship of the Sun and Moon. Although the cult of the stars, endowing nature and human with fertility, cleansing force is international, it received powerful development in ancient Egypt, Assyria, Urartu in all forms and kinds of variations of solar and lunar characters. The broadest dissemination of amulets in a realistic image of the Sun and Moon were widespread in Egypt, in particular, crescent – a sign of Isis – served as an amulet for women and children.
More »

Gold Acorn Vintage brooch. Magic Plants in Jewellery

Magic Plants in Jewellery
Any modern or vintage brooch with floral motif performs both functions – a decorative and an amulet. Considered the most ancient jewelry, amulets included onion, garlic, pepper, seeds and fragrant herbs. A huge number of plants endowed with magical properties, especially spicy, with characteristic odor. Traditionally, tufts of grass hang on the walls of the house, barns and stables.
Acorn, in particular, was a symbol of fertility and immortality, because from it grows a mighty oak tree, which can live for centuries. Anciently prized for potential power, acorn became a symbol of rebirth, perseverance and courage. In ancient cultures people perceived acorn as a talisman and amulet against evil spirits – from lightning strikes, natural and human disasters.
More »

Behind the mask

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Oscar Wilde. Mask – a strange, unnatural for an animal, but a natural for human thing, a product of his contradictory inner world and the ability to be creative. Like a chameleon changes color, so are the people, very often in life it remained a mystery – who they really were. “He wears a mask” – we say about a dishonest, insincere person. Known since ancient times, mask was the main attribute of various magical rituals, rites of burial, the sacraments. Mask appears in a different guise of spirits and demons, hides specific human traits, remains unrecognized and misleading – such goals pursued a man wearing a mask.
More »

Audrey Hepburn as Natasha Rostova in the film “War and peace”. Fan Kaleidoscope

Fan Kaleidoscope
With the departure of “Belle Epoque” the most necessary accessory of a civilized woman – fan became thing of the past. From now on, the invention of antiquity, not only female but also male accessory, has become only attribute of bohemian, artistic image. Almost all ancient peoples have stories and legends associated with a Fan. One says that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Eve tore a branch from a nearby tree, began to fan it, overcoming the embarrassment of her own nakedness. Chinese sources tell us about the famous beauty Lamsa, who during protracted ceremony, tired of stuffy and severity of precious robes, began to fan her mask, which caused indescribable delight of others, following her example.
More »

The Wedding of Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger at their wedding in the South of France, July 2013

It is believed that bride on a wedding day should wear the traditional white dress, as white is the color of purity. Black color is associated with the wedding fashion less often. However, nothing lasts forever, especially fashion! Perhaps the most black wedding which the world has ever witnessed, was Avril Lavigne’s: Gothic medieval castle Château de La Napoule in the South of France France, black dress, black bridal make-up, black flower, black cake. The couple married on 1 July 2013 (Canada Day). Her black dress didn’t bring luck in marriage – on 2 September 2015, Lavigne announced her separation from Kroeger. The black wedding dress didn’t make happy other stars either – Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio in a modest black dress. Years later, after the wedding, the actress Sarah Jessica Parker admitted in an interview that the only thing she regrets in life – a black dress at the wedding.
More »

Caterpillar luxurious jewellery. Unique 19th Century Ethiopian Golden Caterpillar Robot

This so called Ethiopian Caterpillar is a unique work of Swiss jeweler and watch maker Henri Maillardet. 200-year-old masterpiece of high jewellery, the caterpillar is still in excellent working condition. The realistic automaton was created for some wealthy Chinese aristocrat. When the Ethiopian Caterpillar was sold at auction in 2010, it fetched a price of more than $415,000. It joins five other such caterpillars known to exist, all of which reside in prestigious art collections. At one time, robots were meant for the amusement of wealthy collectors and art enthusiasts. This stunning caterpillar automaton from approximately 1820 is a wonder of both artistry and workmanship. The Ethiopian Caterpillar is made of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and turquoise all set in gold. The caterpillar’s eleven jointed ring segments combine to form a “body” that undulates like a real caterpillar, crawling realistically. Its body moves up and down simulating the undulations of a caterpillar by means of a set of gilt-metal knurled wheels.
More »