Kaleidoscope effect

‘Sailboat with two in love’ brooch in the Damascene technique (Spain). Damascene jewellery art

Damascene jewellery art
Originated in Damascus, Syria more than 2 000 years ago, borrowed by the Arabs and brought to Spain, Damascene technique has reached our days. This technique, in particular, was the art of incrustation of various metals into each other, and most often gold or silver into a copper, steel or alloy basis.
Meanwhile, to Japan, the art of damascene got through the Silk Road in the period between 710 AD -794. It achieved a great popularity in Kyoto during the Edo period (1603 – 1868), when masters decorated handles of weapons. However, due to the fact of banning of swords in Japan, the masters used their skills in the manufacture of accessories and jewelry. Their art reflected traditional motifs – flowers, birds, sakura, landscapes, and Mount Fuji. By 1936, more than half of the manufactured Damascene products had been exported mainly to the United States and England.
Read more »

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

Sun and Moon sacred power
Among the most ancient cults in the history of mankind is the worship of 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.
To Moon Amulet belongs early medieval Scandinavian and Russian “lunnitsa” – covered with beading and gold, silver crescent pendants, included in the necklace; crescents horns up or down, are often found in ancient Israel and Iran.
Read 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.
Read more »

Carnival lady. Mask Symbolic Meaning. Behind the mask

Mask Symbolic Meaning
According to Oscar Wilde, give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
Noteworthy, mask is unnatural for an animal, but a natural for humans, a product of his contradictory inner world and the ability to be creative. Very often people wear masks to hide who they really are or to do something that they would never do open face. “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, and 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.
In ancient Greece, Rome, Renaissance Italy, China and Japan, there were theatrical masks, originated in the ancient mysteries. At the carnivals people liked to change places: Heaven to hell, the permitted to forbidden, the servants to the Lord.
From the XIV century, mask in Europe became the part of everyday costume, like gloves, or a tie. Mask played the role of an object, giving man a sense of freedom, a personality not found in everyday life.
Read more »

A grotesque brooch ‘Girl with the Moon’. Made in the author’s technique of cold porcelain, hand-painted with acrylic, natural mother of pearl inlay, art glass with gold leaf. Art work by jewellery designer Maria Brik

Jewellery designer Maria Brik
The author of this mysterious grotesque brooch is Maria Brik, jewellery designer, living in Israel – Judea and Samaria, Netanya. Before founding her own design studio in 2012, she had worked for almost ten years in the cinema. Today, she has been working in her studio “Murrmelad” (marmalade) for ten years, creating wearable jewelry art pieces.
According to Maria, she tries to create bright, positive, pleasant to the touch decorations, “as delicious as marmalade,” and only natural things. Their mission, according to the artist, to cheer up, turning life into marmalade. The artist makes ornaments by hand using natural stones and pearls.
Read more »

Capricorn brooch from the series of Zodiac signs. Gold tone, rhinestones, plastic, enamel. DeNicola costume jewellery

DeNicola costume jewellery (1957-1973)

The history of DeNicola jewelry trademark began in 1957 in New York founded by Jerry DeNicola. The company became known for its high quality costume jewelry. Thanks to exquisite designs, the use of gold and semi-precious stones, DeNicola competed with high-end jewelry brands.
The first collection “The Real Look”, released in 1962, represented marine life. Noteworthy, the company used a variety of designs, from turtles to angels and St. George. One of the most collectible became the line of zodiac signs. In 1964 they made their second collection “Young America”.
Beautiful semi-precious stones, the brilliance of metal and extremely complex design made many connoisseurs give preference to the brand. In fact, DeNicola design has a certain similarity with Cassini, or Carnegie jewelry.
From the very beginning, in the 1950s, DeNicola collaborated with Vogue.
However, in 1970, DeNicola became part of the CAPRI jewelry company and in 1973 the brand ceased to exist.
According to a number of reference books on vintage costume jewelry, DeNicola pieces are highly collectible.
Read more »

Pharaoh brooch-pendant. Erwin Pearl jewellery

Erwin Pearl jewellery
The history of E.Pearl jewelry brand began in 1952, when Erwin Pearl released the first collection of his own design. In 1957 he founded the eponymous jewelry company.
A native of Austria, in his early years, Erwin Pearl moved to the United States and made there a wonderful career. Five consecutive years, his jewellery products participated in international exhibitions, and won prestigious awards. For over 60 years Pearl has been one of the largest manufacturers of collectible jewelry, connecting advanced technology and old techniques of hand finishing.
Noteworthy, Erwin Pearl was one of the best diamond cutters in the world. For five years in a row he received the prestigious “Diamond International Award”. Traditionally, the designer used precious metals, gemstones and pearls.
His fine jewelry of high quality has become popular with stars of show business and politics. In 1970, “Erwin Pearl” began to produce costume jewellery with the use of matte and glossy metal, pearls, glass, colored enamels, Austrian Crystal and zirconium.

Read more »