Malachite necklace for new Baroness

Malachite and baroque pearl necklace made for the incoming Baroness.

Gifts for friends

While I was making largesse, I decided to make a couple of necklaces for my friends:

Both are glass and/or gemstone beads strung on tiger tail wire.

Royal Largesse

I had a chance to finish off my largesse pile for the upcoming Royal visit,and I am very pleased with it. All glass or gemstone beads stung on tigertail wire.

Busy times

Well, things have been hectic since I  last posted! Health and computer problems certainly haven't helped matters, and I have been busy with study and preparing for my Barony's big anniversary event - which is now less than a week away. I have mainly been desperately trying to get scribal work finished and working on projects for other people. Most of that is done now, so I have less than a week to sort my own garb out. Luckily, the tourney dress that I previously almost finished just needs to be hemmed and have hooks and eyes attached. Hopefully I will find time to finish the court gown that I was experimenting with as part of my Pilgrimage challenge.

I have also been making some largesse items. Here are a couple of necklaces that I made that have small mistakes - so will now end up in my jewellery box.

Gift Box Largesse Necklace (White and Purple)

I am still working on jewellery for the Gift Box. This late period necklace has white and purple 4mm glass seed beads strung on tiger tail.

This style of necklace can be worn doubled over- under the gown for Tudor and over the top for sixteenth century Italian.




Anne Boleyn by an Artist of the English School
Image Source: http://www.arthistorynews.com/articles/894_Anne_Boleyn_regains_her_head

Pink and White Seed Bead Necklace

I made this necklace as a gift for a little SCA friend for Christmas. I have made her a couple of little Italian style Renaissance dresses, and I thought this style of necklace would look very pretty with her dresses. The beads are glass seed and round beads strung on tiger tail.

Seed bead necklace for Largesse (Blue and White)

Another necklace for the Gift Box. This one has pale blue and frosted white glass seed beads strung on tiger tail.

Ancient Roman-style Earrings Make a Comeback in Renaissance Italy

Well, look what I spotted in this portrait. Ancient Roman style earrings!

Portrait of a Lady by a Follower of Bronzino

Image from: http://www.li.ru/interface//pda/?jid=4199753&pid=357459728

Some Faiyum Mummy Portraits-

Image from: http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/fayum6.jpg

Image from: http://images.rom.on.ca/public/index.php?function=image&action=simpledetail&image_name=ROM2004_1017_17

Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342977327847430803/

I decided to make some to go with the necklace I strung recently.

The gold glass beads were threaded onto small gold wire headpins. I only used one bead (as opposed to two or three as in the photo) because I didn't want the earrings to be too long.

I bent the headpin around a metal knitting needle to get the right size loop. Then I adjusted the loop with jewellery pliers.

I originally planned to use these earring hooks as they are closer to what was worn in the Renaissance, but the earrings didn't sit properly when attached to them.

The finished earrings

The completed set.

Bow Earrings

I have been inspired by the popularity of bow-shaped earrings in the Renaissance:




Portrait of Isotta Brembati (c.1555) by Moroni
Image from https://artseer.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/key-8-new.jpg

Detail 

Portrait of Lucia Albani Avogadro by Moroni
Image from: https://artseer.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/giovanni_battista_moroni_-_portrait_of_a_lady_perhaps_contessa_lucia_albani_avogadro_la_dama_in_rosso_-_google_art_project.jpg

Detail 

Portrait of a Young Lady by Giovanni Battista Moroni
Image from: https://artseer.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/key-23.jpg


Portrait of Three Princesses - (Unattributed)
Image from: https://40.media.tumblr.com/cd387c5c524dda72a8b14ff1015ac9a2/tumblr_mw3k9c8lCE1rrlxu4o1_500.jpg

I found some small metal bow shaped jewellery findings at my local craft store. I gave them a few coats of nail enamel and added earring hooks and a pearl at the bottom. 

Next, I think I will experiment with fabric ribbons.

Pink Pearl Earrings

I got an amazing bead bargain recently, and picked up some beads and findings for ten for $1. I made a pair of pearl earrings with my bargain buys. I used a different type of head pin than I usually do, and they are made of quite a soft metal. It will be interesting to see how the new headpins stand up to wear and tear.

The pearl beads were threaded on to a headpin and topped with a bell cap. Then an earring hook was added and the top of the headpin was bent over.

These earrings will be useful for sixteenth century garb, especially English and Italian clothing.

Long Beaded Necklace

I recently made a long beaded necklace for a friend.



Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci
Image from: http://www.lairweb.org.nz/leonardo/ermine.html



La Belle Ferrionere by Leonardo da Vinci
Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_belle_ferronni%C3%A8re



It is a very simple design of 4mm glass seed beads strung on tiger tail, with a gold clasp:

Beaded Italian Necklace

Simple string, cord and beaded necklaces seem to be fairly popular in Italy in the fifteenth century, so I decided to make one to go with this style of dress.



Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni by Ghirlandaio
Image from: http://ganino.com/_media/artists:domenico_ghirlandaio1449-1494:ghirlandaio13.jpg


Domenico Ghirlandaio, Birth of St. John the Baptist (1486-1490)
Image from: http://ganino.com/_media/artists:domenico_ghirlandaio1449-1494:ghirlandaio2.jpg



Ghirlandaio's Portrait of a Lady
Image from: http://www.wikiart.org/en/domenico-ghirlandaio/portrait-of-a-lady

I made my necklace as a single strand of beads which then splits into two after being separated by a larger blue sunstone bead.

The blue glass seed beads (4mm) were strung onto tiger tail. A crimp was used at the bottom to secure the beads. After the bigger sunstone bead, the single strand splits to become two separate strands. They are finished with crimps and silver fastenings.

I am thinking of making another necklace in a similar style, but with two strands at the bottom, and maybe one in thin lucet or fingerwoven cord.

Lucky red bead necklace

A recurring theme through many sixteenth century Italian Renaissance portraits is a red bead necklace. They are seen on middle/lower class women as well as noble ladies. Red coral was plentiful in Italy at the time, easy to shape, and visually appealing with its lustre and vibrant colour. Coral was used in jewellery for children because it was thought to protect them from danger and malicious influences. It is also seen in women's necklaces and as a horn-shaped charm (still worn by some Italian men to this day) and rosary/Paternoster bead sets. The colour red has traditional and ancient connections to blood and has been used in folk medicine as a healing agent over thousands of years and across many cultures.

Also, red beads look pretty, so I had to make myself a 'lucky' red bead necklace to go with my Italian garb!



The Fruit Seller by Vincenzo Campi 1580
Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/15340454950252510/


The FruitVendor by Vincenzo Campi
Image from: https://reproarte.com/en/choice-of-topics/category/food-and-drink/fruit/the-fruit-vendor-detail


Ghirlandaio's Portrait of a Girl
Image from: wikipaintings.org







Portrait of a Young Woman by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Ghirlandaio




Madonna di Senigallia by Piero della Francesca (1470s)
Image from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/24/Madonna_di_Senigallia.jpg





Image from: http://milano.ilquotidianoitaliano.it/il-cibo-nellarte-mostra-brescia/



Contadina Paduana - Unknown Artist
Image from: http://www.starlightmasquerade.com/PortraitGallery/Ladder-Laced-Venetian/inspiration-pages/openbodice74.htm




Portrait of An African Slave Woman by Caracci
Image from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Annibale_Carracci,_attrib.,_Portrait_of_an_African_Slave_Woman,_ca._1580s._Oil_on_canvas,_60_x_39_x_2_cm_(fragment_of_a_larger_painting.jpg/489px-Annibale_Carracci,_attrib.,_Portrait_of_an_African_Slave_Woman,_ca._1580s._Oil_on_canvas,_60_x_39_x_2_cm_(fragment_of_a_larger_painting.jpg



Portrait of a child by Sonofisiba Anguissola
http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_341196/Sofonisba-Anguissola/Portrait-of-a-child



Circle of Adriaen van der Linde
Portrait of a young girl, half-length, in a red dress with a white lace collar and cap
http://www.artnet.com/artists/adriaen-van-der-linde/past-auction-results


Two Sisters and Brother of the Artist
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofonisba_Anguissola#mediaviewer/File:Sofonisba_Anguissola_001.jpg



Unknown artist Portrait of a Girl holding a Rose & a Basket of Cherries (1568)
Image from: http://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/17c-children-on-checkerboard-floors.html




http://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2014_02_24_archive.html
1590s Adriaen van der Linde (Dutch artist, 1560-1609) Portrait of a Young Girl, Adriaen van der Linde



http://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2014_02_24_archive.html
 1605 Artist van Zelven (Probably a German artist) Portrait of a Child with a Dog 




1625 Unknown Artist of the Dutch school, Girl with cherries & doll
http://bjws.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/17c-children-on-checkerboard-floors.html



Portrait of a Young Boy - Flemish school
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flemish_School_Portrait_of_a_Young_Boy_1625.jpg



CIRCLE OF ADRIAEN VAN DER LINDE (Brugge c.1560 - 1609 Bolsward) Portrait of a Young Girl Aged Two with Dog
http://www.isherwoodfineart.com/index.cfm/item/111-circle-of-adriaen-van-der-linde-brugge-c1560-1609-bolsward-portr/


My beads are not coral (which is protected) but are a ceramic alternative. They are approximately 10mm in diameter and have a high lustre. They are simply strung on tiger tail wire with a small red glass seed bead spacer between them to help to show off the lovely shape of the large beads.

Portrait of Sibilla Kessel, c. 1540, Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Cologne
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/427701295836430045/



cORNEILLE DE LYON Portrait of Gabrielle de Rochechouart c. 1574
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/296252481710557196/



References and Bibliography

* Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_coral
* http://glimmerdream.com/gemjourneys/coral/history
* http://rosaliegilbert.com/necklaces.html
*  This site has a great list of myths and stories about coral: https://enchantedgems.wordpress.com/category/coral/coral-lore/