Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Byzantine Empire And Gold

By Jack Wagon

Various traditions and body ornamental accessories of Byzantines population were similar to the traditions and accessories that were found in Rome at the same time (476-1453 CE). Being the capital metropolis of Constantinople, there were community baths that were also like those, which were found in Rome. Byzantines used to carry different styles of jewellery in ears, toes, fingers, ankles, neck, and fibulae.

Most of these jewellery items were made of gold, or silver, as they were two most favourite items of Byzantines. These people also coated other metals with a thin plate of gold that were developed in that very empire. It indicates that gold was quite an adorable object in that empire, and they had developed some other ways to satiate their insatiable thirst for gold.

As their territory further developed, they began to take in many different sorts of elements in their jewellery, and costume conducts, and the majority of such elements used to come from the Middle East and the Orient. The Byzantines never used profound cosmetics, and various make-ups similar to the Roman. Rather, they were more interested in making magnificent perfumes, and they used many ingredients in their preparation, which they got from India, Persia, and China. That is the reason preparation of perfume soon became a popular business in that region.

This populace also made some excellent types of jewellery, and they introduced several techniques in preparation of these ornaments. Enamelling of several ornaments was one amongst the most well liked techniques, and it was widely used for a huge range of jewellery. These people were tremendously fond of rings, and had immense talent in preparing a variety of rings, which were frequently made in a large variety of shapes and designs.

Jewellery was equally popular in men as well as women. Just as these days, wearing a lot of jewellery was taken as a sign of prosperity, and happiness. People having a lot of jewellery made of gold were seen to be wealthy and affluent, whereas less advantaged individuals used to wear gold plated or silver jewellery.

The Byzantines tried their best to transform different varieties of metals into gold, and a large portion of their population used to travel from one place to another in search of gold. They used to admire gold just like an object of worship.

Apart from jewellery, they also made some other objects from it that also included small idols and utensils. These idols and utensils were widely used in their shrines, as most of them have been found in the ruins of these shrines.

The technique of gold plating that they used is still employed by contemporary jewellery makers after thousands of years. These individuals were also famous for their designed patterns, and they found out quite inspiring ways to use these patterns for nearly each array of clothing. They manufactured samite as well, which is an astonishing variety of silk that they used to put on, on their special events.

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