|
|
The excavations of
royal burial sites have provided the most complete record of the
jewelry of the Scythians a nomad people of the Eurasian steppes who
absorbed Middle Eastern and Classical Greek influences. Typical art
objects of the 1st millennium BC were plaques in the form of stags
or other animals, hammered or stamped out of gold and often inlaid
with colored stones or glass.
Large plaques were
mounted on bridles or quiers; small ones were attached to clothing.
Plaques, bowls, and personal jewelry of the 5th and 4th centuries BC
were often made by Greek artisans and combined the richness of Greek
composition and technique with Scythian motifs. The largest
collection of Scythian jewelry is in the Hermitage Museum, Saint
Petersburg.
The Byzantine nobility
wore jewelry in lavish profusion. This practice is evident in the
6th century mosaic portrait of Empress Theodora in the Church of San
itale in Raenna, Italy. The dress is stiff with gold and set with
jewels; pearls, rubies, and emeralds mounted in gold are worn at the
neck and shoulders and hang in festoons from the temples to the
breast. |
A common type of Byzantine earring had a crescent shape executed in
gold repossee openwork with a central cross in a circle flanked by
peacock. The favorite breast pendant was the cross; another type was
a jeweled pendant. Most finger rings bore Christian symbols, and the
extant examples are more often made of gilded bronze than of gold.
Enamel work, especial cloisonné enamel, was refined to a high
degree in Byzantine culture and had a strong influence on European
jewelry of succeeding periods. A
fine example is the jeweled crown of Constance of Aragon (13th
century, Palermo Cathedral, Sicily,
Italy). |
travel
information:
health, tips, useful links
Vegas and kids
Ear discomfort
Tips
about ear discomfort
Airport security
Aoiding leg, toe cramping
In flight fitness
Economy class syndrome
Aviation complaint
Avoiding travel fraud
Motion sickness
Preventing aches and pains
Money saving tips
Aviation rights and policies
Before
reserving accommodations
Safety
tips at the hotel
Family-friendly hotels/motels
visiting national parks
Parks pass
travel with Kids
Planning a trip
Plan before you pack
Packing
for the family
Packing for kids and
babies
Packing the right things
First-aid
checklist
Be careful about what you bring
Games
to play during the trip
Safety
tips for kids at hotels
Family oriented hotels
Babysitter
provisions
at hotels
vacation memories
scrapbook |
Honeymoon trips
Honeymoon trip
Honeymoon
destinations
Curiosities & little bit of history
Ancient jewelry
African Jewelry
Brazil's emerald
Brazil's gold
Mogok rubies
Brief history of
Earrings
Jewelry
Ring
Our Planet
Space
Tourism
Dark Sky /
Light Pollution
Warming Up
Russian sues NASA
National Parks
National Parks
environment concerns
Native American designs and colors natural
dyes
Google maps |
