Precious umbrella handles

Stone cut art. Precious umbrella handles

Precious umbrella handles
Archaeologists claim that there were umbrellas in the XI century BC. This very time is considered the invention of the familiar to us and quite mundane object. Some scientists believe the birthplace of umbrella is China, others – Egypt, as in both countries it obviously was considered a symbol of power. In Egypt, umbrellas used only by Pharaoh, and in China – the emperors and those close to them.
In India, the umbrella was a symbol of wealth and power. The nobler was man, the more his entourage had the right to wear umbrella. Ruler had 13 umbrellas, symbolizing the sun and located around the 12 signs of the zodiac. In Tibet, white or yellow umbrellas are considered a symbol of spiritual greatness, while the secular authorities are more consistent with umbrellas of peacock feathers. Then from the East umbrellas moved to ancient Greece, then – to Rome, where they were used by women.

Detail of handle

Called “parasol”, the umbrella appeared in France in the XVII century. The French umbrella top was made of waxed canvas, and the handle was made of various materials. Originally an umbrella served for protection from the sun, as a shelter from the rain umbrella was first used by Englishman Jonas Hanway in 1750.

In 1969, Brad Phillips received a US patent for a folding umbrella, which the company Totes began selling in the US in 1970.