Revival
another symbol of transformation
and eternity, one that proved even
more universal and wearable than
the beetle. Revival jewelry hit its ze-
nith in the second half of the 1800s,
when nearly all jewelry could be
described as some kind of revival.
But well before that, the snake jewel
of ancient Egypt had appeared and
reappeared for centuries.
Many contemporary jewelers
continue to incorporate serpents
in forms that began in ancient
times. As a creature that wraps
itself around limbs, the snake lends
itself perfectly to rings, bracelets,
and necklaces. But the serpent also
carries potent symbolism, linked to
myths predating the biblical Garden
of Eden.
“Snakes have been a motif in
jewelry throughout history and right
up to contemporary times, with
great examples by Bulgari and Elsa
Peretti,” Stoehrer says. “It’s a themeEtruscan Revival Bracelet
Ernesto Pierret
French
About 1860
Gold
Museum purchase with funds donated by the
Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation,
Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf, and Monica S. Sadler
PHOTO © MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTONJudith Kaufman
Earrings
Chrysoprase, 22K gold
PHOTO: COURTESY JUDITH KAUFMAN46 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST