African Jewelry : A continent of Beauty
>> Thursday, November 6, 2008
Since prehistoric times, Africa has produced jewelry of great beauty and different variety. Craftsman in that great medieval kingdom of Africa made different and exceptional jewelry that includes rings, earrings, bracelets and other ornaments made from gold, beads of shell and of glass. All of which have long been important elements of personal adornment all over Africa.
African jewelry has its own significance. African jewelry get its simplistic beauty from using the most natural materials available. Polished wooden bracelets, bone bead necklaces and coconut disk hair bracelets are just a few of the things you may see in a country like Nigeria. Ethiopian crosses are featured on more commercial jewelry, and some feature amber, a commonly found stone in Africa. If glass and brass are available, they are shaped and hammered into earrings and pendants. the glass is often sanded down into colorful beads for a necklace or bracelet.
Jewelry has also been used as a vehicle for religious symbols and to indicate social or economic status. Today's African jewelry echoes many traditional themes, often with modern materials.
African jewelry has its own significance. African jewelry get its simplistic beauty from using the most natural materials available. Polished wooden bracelets, bone bead necklaces and coconut disk hair bracelets are just a few of the things you may see in a country like Nigeria. Ethiopian crosses are featured on more commercial jewelry, and some feature amber, a commonly found stone in Africa. If glass and brass are available, they are shaped and hammered into earrings and pendants. the glass is often sanded down into colorful beads for a necklace or bracelet.
Jewelry has also been used as a vehicle for religious symbols and to indicate social or economic status. Today's African jewelry echoes many traditional themes, often with modern materials.
