The Art of Medieval Jewelry - An Illustrated History

What are the origins of the imagery and designs on common jewelry and portable artwork between late antiquity and the Middle Ages? These dynamic centuries encompass the transformation of the Greco-Roman world into the nascent kingdoms and medieval states upon which most modern European nations are based. The choices of jewelry and other forms of personal expression among the lower classes in ancient times is notoriously difficult to contextualize for a number of reasons. Nonetheless, these precious articles were expressions of individual identity as well as signifiers of rites of passage. As such, they reflect not only the people who wore them, but also the social milieu and artistic trends at that moment in time.
This new study assists in identifying the types, origins and routes of transmission of personal artwork, particularly finger rings, across Europe and Byzantium, an area of study that has been neglected in previous works. Some of this material represents the first time relevant research from Central and Eastern Europe has been translated and made available to the general reader in the English-speaking world.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Part I: Late Antiquity and the Migration Period

The Dark Ages

Hannibal ad Portas: the Barbarian Onslaught

Part II: The Diffusion of Jewelry Designs Since Late Antiquity

Part III: Difficulties in Dating and Identification

Part IV: Medieval Societies of Western Europe

Frankish and Germanic Kingdoms

Frankish Tribes

Germanic Tribes

Frankish and Germanic Ring Types

Scandinavian and ­Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

Part V: Influences from Asiatic Cultures

Trade Routes Between Europe and Asia

Ancient Cultures of the Eurasian Steppe

Asiatic Origin of Certain Zoomorphic Motifs

"Saltovo" and Related Types from the Steppe

Kievan Rus and Kipchak Khanate

Part VI: The Roads Less Traveled: Central and Eastern Europe

Medieval and Modern States

The Successor States of the Former Yugoslavia

Notable Medieval Cultures

Part VII: Common Ring Types from Central and Eastern Europe

Religious Rings

Magical/Apotropaic and Geometrical Symbols

Ring and Dot Patterns

Heraldic and Pseudo-Heraldic Rings

Heater Shield, Flame and Heart-Shaped Designs

Fleur-de-lis

Portcullis and Similar Cross-Hatched Patterns

Star and Crescent

Sword and Arm

Avian and Zoomorphic Motifs

Architectural, Crowns and Similar Designs

Monograms, Merchant's Marks and Personal Seals

Quatrefoil, Rosette and Similar Decorative Motifs

Plain Hoop and Twisted Wire Designs

Cast Types with Faux Gemstones

Part VIII: Anthropomorphic Rings from Central and Eastern Europe

Part IX: Slavic Stolovat and Similar Jewelry Types

Part X: Common Signet Ring Configurations

Part XI: Star and Floral Patterns

Glossary

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the author

T.N. Pollio is a researcher and historian who lives in East Haven, Connecticut.

Product details

• Authors: T. N. Pollio, T.N. Pollio
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 28.09.2021
• EAN: 9781476681757
• ISBN: 978-1-4766-8175-7
• No. of pages: 191
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 254 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 358 g
• Illustrations: Raster,schwarz-weiss
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Art history; CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Jewelry, ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Jewelry, CE period up to c 1500, Medieval History, History of Art, History of art: Byzantine & Medieval art c 500 CE to c 1400, History and Archaeology, HISTORY / Europe / Medieval, Antiques, vintage and collectables: jewellery, Antiques & collectables: jewellery, Medieval style, ART / Movements / Medieval, jewelry; Middle Ages; modern European