Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope

Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope
Graziano heart brooch. Gold plated, Swarovski crystals. 4.5 cm. 1990s. Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope

Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope
Traditionally, the holiday has always been the day dedicated to lovers. On this day, people show their friends relatives and ones that they care. People send candy or flowers to those whom they love. Most people send “valentines”, greeting cards named after St.Valentine’s letters written from jail. Valentines can be sentimental and romantic, or funny and friendly. Valentines can be anonymous, heart-shaped or can carry hearts on them. Here are inspired by Valentine’s Day jewellery pieces and a brief history of this festival.

Lupercalia

Valentine’s Day has its origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed on Feb. 15. Lupercalia celebrated the coming of Spring in the Roman calendar (February was observed later in the year than it is today). Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks and the festival of Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, fields and people.

Rene Lalique jewelry
Rene Lalique jewelry

The celebration of Lupercalia transformed and spread as the Roman Empire grew. When the Romans conquered France, it was then that the first Valentine-like cards may have been exchanged. Apparently, a container in which women had placed their names (possibly accompanied by love notes) was used in a lottery. Men drawing a women’s name would either seek or were guaranteed that woman’s favors.

Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope

Cupid pendant
Cupid pendant

Saint Valentine’s Day

The legend of St. Valentine stems from real-life martyrs from the Roman Empire known as Valentines. It is unsure who was the St. Valentine, but there are two possible candidates. One of these Valentines is believed to have been a Roman priest and physician. He was killed in the third century, during the persecutions of the Emperor Claudius II. After his death this Valentine was buried in the Roman road Via Flaminia. Pope Julius I is said to have later built a basilica above his grave. A second Saint Valentine candidate, believed to be a bishop of Teni ( a province in central Italy), was executed in Rome.

Rene Lalique jewelry
Rene Lalique

These men’s status comes from legends of harboring Christians from persecution, curing the blindness of a cell keeper’s daughter, and conducting marriages while they were forbidden during times of war. It is this, along with the traditions of Lupercalia, that came together to honor St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers.

Valentine’s Day jewellery
Roman god Cupid

Eros-Cupid-Amor

From its association with Lupercalia, and that day’s connection to fertility, comes St. Valentine’s association with love and romance. This led Valentine’s enthusiasts to appoint the Roman god Cupid as a patron of Valentine’s day. Cupid is also known as Amor or Eros in Greek mythology. Eros seems to have been responsible for impregnating a number of goddesses and mortals. The ancient Greeks believed Eros was the force “love,” a force they believe was behind all creation.

Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope

Valentine’s Day jewellery
Winged heart pendant

There are several legends about St.Valentine’s Day. One of the legends says that Valentine was Christian priest who lived in the 3 century A.D. He was put into prison by roman authorities for his teachings and was beheaded on February 14. According to the legend he performed a miracle-he cured his jailer’s daughter of her blindness. Before the execution he wrote her a letter signed “From Your Valentine”. Another legend says that the same Valentine wrote to children and friends who loved him from the jail.

1928 bow heart brooch. 1980s
1928 bow heart brooch. 1980s

According to another legend, Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time. He was thrown into prison because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman empire. The legend says that he was burnt at the stake.

February 14 was also a Roman holiday. On this day young men randomly chose the name of the girl to escort to the festival. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this day became very popular in the medieval Europe. Later this custom spread to American colonies.

Valentines Day jewelry kaleidoscope

Carolee heart brooch. Enamel, crystals, silver and gold tone. 1990s
Carolee heart brooch. Enamel, crystals, silver and gold tone. 1990s
Avon 'Heart of hearts' gold tone brooch. 5 cm. 1970s
Avon ‘Heart of hearts’ gold tone brooch. 5 cm. 1970s
Edouard Rambaud heart brooch. Gold tone, rhinestone, fur. 1980s
Edouard Rambaud heart brooch. Gold tone, rhinestone, fur. 1980s
Elizabeth Taylor heart brooch. Gold tone, enamel, faux pearls, crystals. 7.5 cm. 1990s
Elizabeth Taylor heart brooch. Gold tone, enamel, faux pearls, crystals. 7.5 cm. 1990s
Hattie Carnegie heart brooch. Gold tone, art glass, rhinestones. 5 cm. 1960s
Hattie Carnegie heart brooch. Gold tone, art glass, rhinestones. 5 cm. 1960s
Joan Rivers heart brooch. Gold tone, enamel, mother of pearl. 1990s
Joan Rivers heart brooch. Gold tone, enamel, mother of pearl. 1990s
Pfister ENT 1996 signed brooch with charm. Gold tone, enamel. 8 cm. 1996
Phister ENT 1996 signed brooch with charm. Gold tone, enamel. 8 cm. 1996
Rochas Paris heart brooch of gold tone. 1980s
Rochas Paris heart brooch of gold tone. 1980s
Trifari heart brooch. Gold tone, crystals. 5 cm. 1970s
Trifari heart brooch. Gold tone, crystals. 5 cm. 1970s
YSL Yves Saint Laurent heart brooch. 1980s
YSL Yves Saint Laurent heart brooch. 1980s
Valentine’s Day jewellery
Ruby diamond ring
Valentine’s Day jewellery
Diamond heart with charms
Valentine’s Day jewellery
Rose diamond heart necklace
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Dior fine jewelry
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Red rose flower and bee gold ring
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Hand with hearts silver pewter brooch
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Silver rose brooch
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Gold and diamond necklace
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Ruby heart ring
Valentine’s Day Kaleidoscope
Claddagh ring

Related

Back to top button