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The 19th century Victorian Era (c.1837-1901) was an extended period emphasizing various symbolic memento trends. Many Victorian accessories often feature sentimental designs, which include religious and mythological references. One supplement, the sweetheart bracelet, has an intriguing history that is both sweet and immensely symbolic.   Victorian Sweetheart bracelets were trendy memento sentimental accessories during the Victorian Era and early 20th century.   Originally, sweetheart bracelets were gifted to children, many of which contained paste stones and engraved initials. The trend became rather popular among women, and soon adult sizes were being manufactured. After the Industrial Revolution boom, jewelry companies created many lightweight gold-plated...

This year I began writing a non-fiction history book that discusses the lack of acknowledgment and acclaim related to African portrayals in European antiques. Hidden Legacies: African Presence in European Antiques emphasizes the many fascinating overlooked antiques that feature African descendants. The book includes captivating images and highlights the historical significance of these crucial collectibles. Completing this book was very dear to my heart and allowed me to analyze further the importance of including these images and stories in educational textbooks. I reflected on my encounters with learning about European history and cultural studies as an adolescent, and the lack of representation...

The first Industrial Revolution (c.1760-c.1840) ushered in a new way to create items and changed societies forever. No longer relying on everything made from hand, factories began to produce mass quantities of goods at rapid rates. New social and economic conditions emerged, including increased middle-class families in Europe and America. The California Gold Rush (1848-1855) and the success of the railroad system created new opportunities that permanently impacted various industries, including expansion in the jewelry market.  (Claude Monet's 'Gare Saint-Lazare' Landscape Portrait  Inspired By The Industrial Revolution, 1877) The Industrial Age paved the way for various accessory trends to become more accessible to...

 The interior of the Crystal Palace in London during the Great Exhibition of 1851. McNeven, J., The Foreign Department, viewed towards the transept, colored lithograph, 1851, Ackermann (printer), V&A. The interior of the Crystal Palace in London during the Great Exhibition of 1851. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum Collection. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85649/print-the-foreign-department-viewed-towards/the-foreign-department-viewed-towards-print-mcneven-j/ During the Victorian era, there were many innovative changes in the industry and the arts. Under Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901), Britain staged the first International Exposition of Arts and Industry in 1851. The exposition provided a spacious arena for different nations to showcase their newest creative arts and industrial inventions. Prizes were...

  The art of creating beaded jewelry can be traced to prehistoric times. 'Paleolithic Age' or 'Old Stone Age' beaded jewelry crafted with great detail and skill was commonly created by many cultures with organic materials. The natural and locally sourced materials used to make artisan beaded jewelry often took time and considerable detail by hand. These fantastic pieces of prehistoric history can tell us a lot about the tribes and cultures who created them. How the beaded jewelry was crafted can contain key clues that are important when analyzing the abilities and talents of prehistoric tribes.   (Bradshaw Rock...