As a symbol of wealth, the jewels worn by members of the royal family not only show the taste of the country, but also symbolize the pride and glory of the country, and are embedded with different characteristics of the times.
West yard
The development history of western court jewelry is also divided into several stages. Different elements are popular in each period because of the times.
As the oldest monarchy in Europe, Byzantine jewelry design style is also unique, which has become a highlight in the history of western jewelry development.
Jewelry in this period has a strong religious meaning, and it is believed that the gold and silver jewelry of the emperor and the church represents the power given by heaven. The more luxurious the jewelry you wear, the better the reincarnation of every believer.
Exaggerated gold design and luxurious and precious colored gems inlay show the noble, gorgeous and sacred style of Byzantium to the fullest.
The Holy Roman Empire, which existed in the middle and late Byzantine dynasty, also followed such an idea, and still regarded God's heavenly ideal as the standard of aesthetic and value judgment.
From the middle of17th century to the present, the British royal family has displayed jewels, which is also the impression of most people on court jewels, with the most distinctive Victorian style.
Influenced by naturalism, the royal jewels in this period were mostly based on pearl shells, decorated with sky blue or dark blue enamel and carved waves, accompanied by brooches in the shapes of bows, vines, branches and leaves, ribbons, etc.
After entering modern times, the style of royal jewelry gradually developed towards simplicity. Only on particularly important occasions will you wear such complicated jewelry.
Dongfang imperial palace
Different from the West, the culture of the East has a long history and has experienced many great national integrations and developments, and each era also presents different characteristics.
However, influenced by Chinese civilization and culture, the overall style is consistent, focusing on connotation and craftsmanship, and gold, silver and jade articles are the most important materials.
Before Sui and Tang Dynasties, the jewelry of the royal family mainly showed nature, solemn form, simple lines, great momentum and primitive wildness.
Taking the prosperous Tang Dynasty as a watershed, there were frequent exchanges between countries after the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Jewelry in this period is also learning from others, continuing the traditional culture and gradually adding exotic customs.
After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, all ethnic groups continued to merge, fully demonstrating the style and characteristics of ethnic minorities, and at the same time being compatible with traditional ornaments.
In the Ming Dynasty, jewelry became more elegant, and jewelry with complex design became the mainstream of court jewelry.
A large number of Qing court dramas make the Qing court jewels constantly displayed in front of ordinary audiences, and the jewels of the Qing dynasty are no strangers to the public.
Jewelry technology is becoming more and more mature, and it has formed a unique aesthetic after inheriting the technical level of the Ming Dynasty. For example, the exclusive cuisine of the royal family.
With the decline of the royal family, the history of the development of jewelry in the eastern court came to an end. The royal jewels of the past have now become the collections of countless collectors or are exhibited in museums.
Oriental jewelry pays attention to freehand brushwork, while western jewelry pays attention to realism. Different jewelry styles represent different civilizations in the East and the West.
No matter what style it is, palace jewelry represents the aesthetic level of their respective times and embodies the highest technology at that time.