Search Constraints
« Previous |
11 - 20 of 53
|
Next »
Search Results
- Description:
- Bog wood is petrified wood found in Irish bogs, and is generally pine or oak. Jewelry made of bog wood was exhibited at every major exhibition in Great Britain throughout the nineteenth century.Such pieces generally include Celtic or Irish motifs, like the Irish harp or lyre in this piece, or symbols or monuments found at early Christian sites in Ireland. They areparticularly popular with those of Celtic or Irish descent. These pieces are similar to the Scottish pebble jewelry that was popular in this era: pieces made from stones found in Scotland and set into bracelets and brooches, in designs often reminiscent of ancient Scottish jewelry forms.This piece is part of a large collection given to the institution by Susan Stark of Lansing, MI.
- Date Issued:
- [1850 TO 1880]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- This style can be referred to as bowknot jewelry, and was popular from 1850-1870.The three small jump rings at the bottom of each piece may have been used to suspend small ball drops.
- Date Issued:
- [1860 TO 1875]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The earrings are likely to be gold as it would be unwise to chase plated metal so deeply.These do appear to be chased.Chasing is the process which literally removes metal in order to create decoration as opposed to engraving in which metal is pushed aside as the engraving tool works on the surface.These are somewhat difficult to date and it is unclear if they are American; however, a date of circa 1880 places the pair with other engraved/chased examples popular at this time as seen in New York wholesalers' catalogs from the period.
- Date Issued:
- [1875 TO 1885]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- It is particularly interesting that this medal was presented to a young lady.We do not know about Rev. Carll's Academy, however, it is plausible that it was a female academy.Female academies were established after the American Revolution, particularly in the early nineteenth century, for training future wives and mothers for rearing literate citizens of the New Republic.These schools included traditional subjects such as religion (note that this is Rev. Carll's Academy and surely emphasized religion), history, some arithmetic and reading. Most also included instruction in some kinds of women's domestic crafts such as needlework, sewing, darning, etc. as domesticity was an essential skill as well.There is an Eleanor Potts listed in census records born about 1812 in Pennsylvania; this medal was purchased in Pennsylvania and this may be the original owner of the medal.Research pending.
- Date Issued:
- 1829-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The Freemasons are the world's largest fraternal organization.What is known as modern Freemasons began in 1717 in England; however, the history of the legend of the Freemasons dates far back to biblical times with the building of King Solomon's temple and written evidence of the Freemasons appears in the fourteenth century.A secret society, there is no known founder of this fraternal organization.The Freemason organization is not a religious group, but rather a group based on many religious and moral ideas.
- Date Issued:
- [1775 TO 1850]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Cameos traditionally were cut in stone; however, Italian carvers found a way to make these exquisite shell cameos in the early nineteenth century.This is an interesting depiction of an angel guiding a child as he walks near a serpent, which often symbolized temptation. It is likely an allusion to a child being guided by God on the right path.
- Date Issued:
- [1800 TO 1850]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Cameos were generally cut from stone until the nineteenth century when shell cameos were found to be lovely and affordable.Many were cut en cameo with images of the ancients, although medieval images were also popular.This one is interesting in that it may allude to the rescue of a sailor, as the angel holds an anchor while pointing in a direction of a flailing man.Perhaps this commemorates a sea rescue.
- Date Issued:
- [1855 TO 1865]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- The Freemasons are the world's largest fraternal organization.What is known as modern Freemasons began in 1717 in England; however, the history of the legend of the Freemasons dates far back to biblical times with the building of King Solomon's temple and written evidence of the Freemasons appears in the fourteenth century.A secret society, there is no known founder of this fraternal organization.The Freemason organization is not a religious group, but rather a group based on many religious and moral ideas.
- Date Issued:
- 1803-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- This ring was made to mourn Stephen Van Rensselaer II, born in 1742 and died 1769.He was born into a great patroon family headed by Stephen Van Rensselaer and wife Elizabeth Goresbeck.Stephen II became lord of the manor house Rensselaerswyk at age five, when his own father passed away.Stephen II married Catherine Livingston, from another august New York colonial family--her mother was a Ten Broeck and her father Philip Livingston.Husband Stephen II died suddenly in 1769 at age 27 as one of the wealthiest men of the Albany area.By that time he had fathered three sons:eldest son Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764-1839) rose to great heights.Stephen III founded Rensselaer School in 1824 (later Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and was a congressman, business man, and kind benefactor and landlord.This ring is an exceptional piece in the collection as it was made in memory of an early and important American colonist.It is interesting to note that the first Van Rensselaer patroon, Kilaen Van Rensselaer, began trade as a silversmith near Albany.Often money was left in a will so that mourning pieces could be made.Other researchers have attributed this ring to Jacob Boelen (1733-1786) with mark IB and this is a plausible attribution; Boelen was a silversmith who worked outside of Albany.
- Date Issued:
- 1769-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection
- Description:
- Queen Victoria of Great Britain adored the Scottish countryside and all things Scottish; she dressed her sons in highland dress and vacationed at Balmoral, her castle in Scotland.Scottish pebble jewelry was made from native stones (supposedly) from Scotland such as agate, chalcedony, carnelian, and bloodstone. These opaque stones were often set into silver that was rendered in the shape of ancient Scottish jewelry forms.Some quartz stones are carved in the shape of thistles, also associated with Scotland.These pieces were made until at least the 1870s and were considered pretty, if inexpensive, jewelry.
- Date Issued:
- [1845 TO 1875]
- Data Provider:
- Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
- Collection:
- Digital Dress Collection