The Secret Meaning of Jewels – The Bracelet History

The bracelet is one of the most appreciated jewels worn by women and men of all the ages, and social classes.

Its origin it is dates back to the Bronze Age. Many of these ancient artifacts have been found in archaeological sites in different areas of the world.

The bracelets, in ancient times, had a political and religious meaning and were made with bones, stones, wood, leather, vegetable fibers and bronze. Their evolution was integrated into the history of man who, according to the eras, has forged objects of extraordinary beauty with different and increasingly precious materials.

The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians also wore bracelets on the ankles, in fact, they were thick circles decorated with mythological images, engraved with enamels and set with small turquoise stone scarabs.

Even in ancient Rome, the bracelets were widely used, they were worn by soldiers on the left arm as a symbol of military valor. The Roman patricians, on the other hand, used to carry the “dextral” on the right arm.

In the same period, we had also the “slave” bracelet, it was represented by a stylized snake rolled up on itself, worn exclusively by women above the elbow. It was originally applied to the forearm and imposed on female slaves, as a symbol of subjection and submission.

Even the slaves had their bracelets made of metal and fixed to the wrist and ankles and equipped with a ring by which, in case of punishment, they were tied to a chain.

The Greeks, on the other hand, made bracelets by putting pearls, stones and corals on a cord or threads of gold.

The Etruscans, who were considered excellent goldsmiths, forged complex and beautiful bracelets that they embellished with ivory, amber, glass and coral and wore them on the left humerus.

In the Middle Ages, fashion imposed long-sleeved dresses with decorated and embroidered cuffs and the use of the bracelet almost completely disappeared to re-emerge in the Renaissance era, thanks to clothes that left the arms almost completely bare. It was precisely around 1600 that the bracelet became a precious jewel and reached its maximum expansion, enriched with enamels, cameos and refined miniatures. Small and precious masterpieces made by extraordinary goldsmith masters.

During the Victorian Age in England, giving a bracelet was considered a pledge of eternal love.

With “Art Deco and Art Nouveau”, more and more original bracelets were created and inspired by nature and ancient art; one of the most popular models depicted a viper with a precious stone set on the head or in the place of the eyes, a symbol of the sensual, feminine, fatal woman and no longer a slave, but capable of enslaving … a man!