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Key and heart lockets are romantic mementoes. "The
key to the heart" also love birds sitting on tree branches. Wedding
rings were often engraved on the inside with dates or romantic messages.
Lovers knots and hearts were used in rings and brooches and pendants
and often had a message in precious stones "souvenir d’amour" or "souvenir
d’amitie".
Regard and Dearest rings would
be spelt in coloured stones:
Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond
or
Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz.
Until about 1850 these would sometimes include a miniature painting of the giver,
or a lock of hair.
Various lucky plants began to appear in jewellery from acorns, holly, ivy,4 leaf
clover,mistletoe and heather and parting lovers would be presented with a Mizpah
ring.This name is from a quotation of genesis "the lord watcheth between me and
thee when we are apart one from another."
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JEWELLED BOUQUETS In Paris in 1770 jewelled
bouquets were fashionable and flower jewels were very popular in Europe
for the 2nd half of the century.
Extravagent brooches up to 20cm in length were made, these were often enamelled
and tied with gem set bows, the flower heads set with precious and semi precious
stones or foil backed diamonds to reflect different colours
Some of these flowers or even insects , incorporated into the design were set
on springs to enable them to tremble and sparkle.
BOWS AND LOVERS KNOTS Since the end of the Middle
Ages knots have been used in jewellery design.
In the 16th century Friars knots which consisted of 3 knots representing the
Trinity and vows of poverty chastity and obedience were used in the making
of jewellery
The lovers knot which represented a bond until death, was like a figure of
eight
The bow then appeared in creative jewellery and in the 17th century
these were made of silk and attached to clothing to display a small
jewel.
Later these bows were made in precious metals ,stone set and enamelled
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