Snakes, insects, and beasts of vintage jewelry

Snake, insect, and big cat jewelry has been around ever since ancient times. Depending on the culture, snakes were symbolic of death or destruction, or resurrection due to the shedding of its skin. In Hinduism, the cobra is a symbol of the god Vishnu and knowledge, wisdom, and eternity.

In the 19th Century, as Charles Darwin discovered new animal species, the popularity of creatures grew. In fact, Queen Victoria received a snake ring from Prince Albert in 1840.

Insects were also popular during Victorian times, with butterflies and dragonflies representing change. Victorians would even use real beetle carcasses or butterfly wings in their jewelry. Depending on the culture, spiders represented the moon goddess or the weaver of fate and destiny. The ancient Egyptian goddess, Neith, was a weaver of the world, but in Christianity, spiders symbolized the devil ensnaring sinners.

Lions can represent strength, courage, and law but also cruelty and the gods of war. The tiger is also symbolic as a creator or a destroyer, royalty, and strength, depending on the culture.

With the discovery of King Tut’s tomb and Egyptomania in the 1920s, snakes and insects really made a comeback. Bracelets running up the arms and coiled around the neck appeared on the stylish fashionistas of the time. Egyptian beetles (called scarabs) adorned everything from bracelets to rings.

To learn more about Egyptomania, check out my other blog post written specifically about the style.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!