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 Antique cameos courtesy of Zanathia Jewelry Historically, cameos have been used for various purposes throughout different regions since the B.C Era. In ancient times, the cameo was used to represent sentimental meanings in the form of carved portraits on hard gemstones. In Ancient Greece during the Hellenistic Age and Ancient Rome, intricately carved stone or glass cameos showcased admirable artistry in the form of large earrings, signet rings, and terrific cups. The earliest cameos were made from stone. In Ancient Egypt, early cameo examples include the carving of figurines into small rocks for sentimental eventful dates. During the Renaissance Era in...

The 19th-century jewelry market saw increased mass-produced designs due to the Industrial Revolution innovations. New improvements in metalwork techniques also meant improved enameling designs. It is common to see various mid 19th-century Victorian pieces with enamel designs such as taille d'epargne and guilloché. Business firms and company manufacturers mass-produced a large amount of Victorian jewelry with metalwork engravings. Intricate designs and new techniques were introduced to Victorians, making quality pieces more accessible and worn with daytime casual looks.  Before the mid-19th century, elaborate and fashionable jewelry was often confined to the evening for special occasions. After electroplating techniques improved, lightweight gold-filled bracelets and...

Each descendant comes from an extensive line of ancestors, with each generation relying on a 'gatekeeper' and family archivist to preserve their heirlooms. By preserving our precious material culture, we are nurturing the roots and unaltered identity of our lineage. "Ancestral Garden: Honoring Black Victorian Material Culture & Accurate Black Americana" celebrates our Black ancestors from the 19th and early 20th centuries. They revolutionized the camera lens to combat racism and inaccurate stereotypes. Picture day was a symbolic historic moment that transcended the 'regular' event or daily recreational activities. The Ancestral Garden Exhibit honors the faithful spirit and verifiable image of...

In honor of American Archives Month, the historic preservation of sentimental materials and objects connected to our stories is celebrated and emphasized.  Our family portraits of loved ones are significant materials reflecting the meaningful stories connected to historical events and places. Physical objects relating to the past are primary sources connected to our ancestors' lives. To continue their legacies and uplift their accurate stores, historic preservation work should include the materials that were sentimental in their stories. What exactly are 'archives'? Archives are historical records documenting the places, stories, and objects connected to our lives and the ancestors before us. Even...

  The Art Nouveau Movement (c.1890-c.1915) was created in France and was short-lived partly due to World War 1 (1914-1918). The designs of The Art Nouveau Era ('New Art') were inspired by the natural world. Popular motifs included insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. In Art Nouveau jewelry, the pieces often emphasized a woman's physical features, being surrounded by a serene nature setting and mythical creatures such as mermaids. The artistic merit and natural beauty of semi-precious stones were emphasized in Art Nouveau jewelry instead of value. Moonstones, opals, amethyst, malachite, and enamel were all used in many jewelry pieces...