A simple and elegant beauty to the symbols used in this type of jewelry that never goes out of style. If you have ever seen a knotwork ring, then you are aware of this type of jewelry in the style that it represents.
Between 2000 BC and 550 AD, the Celts used silver and
gold to craft their jewelry. Archaeological studies have shown that the desire
for Celtic jewelry reached as far as the Mediterranean.
Beautiful jewelry such as lunulae, collars, fibulae,
torques, bangles and brooches were designed for the rich and noble kings and
leaders of ancient Ireland.
Celtic artwork contains spiral, knotworks, animal forms and interlacing
patterns. Celtic jewelry can be exotic and fascinating, and at the same time can be simple.
In 450 BC the
Celtic artwork was brilliantly developed with swirling spirals and hidden faces
of animals and human. Then the knotworks were introduced in Celtic arts in
early Christian era. In late Christian era the Celtic artwork was used in gold,
silver etc to make the finest jewelry.
Hallstatt is the first
style in Celtic art that includes geometric designs. La Téne style includes
leaf work and spiral designs. These designs specialize in developing faces
which may appear and disappear. This is the cleverest method used in Celtic
arts.
So what kind of Celtic
jewelry was made in ancient times? In fact, the Celtic jewelry surviving
examples are rings, bracelets, pendants, hair pin decoration and brooches,
which were found right across the
Mediterranean so we know that the business of trade was successful for the
lucky tribes who had a blacksmith.
The ancient Celts saw fire,
which was used to make Celtic Jewelry, as a means that had transformation
properties which would be the highest form of spiritual communication. On
Celtic statues and art forms all around, they incorporated the design of three
flames or sunrays on the faces of their deities, and on pictures of their
clansmen and women. Great for woad design! These flames were drawn as three
lines going up and outwards, fanning out on the forehead with the base of the
three lines meeting at the bridge of the nose. Modern Druids are using this
sign and it is called Awen. This might be something you'd like for the Celtic
jewelry for your modern day clan.
The ancient Celts also
honored the earth as their mother Goddess. They believed that when a
kinsman/woman passed on, they had to be buried in a womb like cave facing west
so that they would be reborn in the Celtic otherworld or Underworld. Some
British and Welsh tribes call it the Isle of Avalon. But all Celts believed the
afterlife continued on an isle across the sea. If someone you know has gone
through a tough time, an earth symbol on their Celtic jewelry would be a great
symbol to be reborn into a new phase!
Celtic jewelry also had
creatures or animals. Celtic Totem animals were the earliest form of Gods. Gods
changed into land areas where these animals came from, like the Salmon became a
river Goddess and later, when males became more dominate, river Gods. When they
were Christianized from 400's to 1700's CE, in more remote areas, these Gods
became mythical beings like wizards, sorceresses, fairies, leprechauns and
heroes. The air Gods became Sylphs. These come in the form of butterflies
Jewelry Styles
Knotwork is the most famous
style in Celtic art. Trinity knot has three knots weaving through itself or
through number of strips. Spiral style may look like swirls double, triple or
quadruple designs. They are mingled with one another like the English alphabet S
or C.
Zoomorphic is that style in
which animal shape like snake, bird, salmon and lion are used. The birds will
normally be peacock or eagle. The early Celtic artwork did not use the shape of
dragon. However modern Celtic art uses dragon in its design. The animals are
normally designed as twisted with one another and therefore it resembles the
knot workstyle to some extent.
Maze style is just like
spiral designs and step style appears like tiles. People are also designed in
Celtic artwork with different hair styles and dressings.
Generally, the Celtic art
styles provide some symbolic representation. Knotwork depicts the inter
connectivity of life and human in the universe. Similarly the spirals define
the personal spirit and it also determines the importance of holy sprits. Maze
and steps style refers to journey of
life. In Zoomorphic every animal depicts one quality. Lion stands for strength,
Snakes for rebirth, Peacocks for purity and so on.
The Celts normally
displayed their artwork in metal. Celtic jewelry had minute designs which were
the finest artwork of Celts.
Irish Celtic artwork is
more famous than other countries in Europe. Though Celts lived in England,
Spain and France apart from Ireland, Irish Celtic art has great impact all over
the world. The Irish art combines the knots, crosses etc.
Celtic Crosses were the
powerful symbols and so they are used even now in various art works. The Irish
Celtic artworks reached its apex in the period of Vikings.
One of the most big
features of celtic jewelry nowadays is the Claddagh Ring, wich comes from a modern design. Feel free to read more about the Claddagh
ring on my previous posts:
Related Sources:
http://EzineArticles.com/5636990
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