The Minoans loved jewelry. Women depicted in frescoes, on wall-paintings and statuary are shown festooned with earrings, hair ornaments, necklaces and bracelets. Fashion was big three thousand five hundred years ago in bronze age Minoan Crete. The motifs used by the Minoan jewelers to decorate their necklaces, bracelets and earrings are drawn almost exclusively from living things stylized into shapes which please the eye as wearable forms.

Lily and Lapis Lazuli Minoan Necklace

The lily was a major motif of the Minoan Civilization as can be seen in the "Prince of the Lilies" Fresco from Knossos and the "Springtime" wall painting at Akrotiri in Santorini. It is thought to have symbolized springtime and renewal and may also have been used medicinally. The stylized lily was particularly suited as an element in bead necklaces and many variations have been found.

This necklace uses stylized lily beads patterned on an example found with a royal burial at Phourni near Knossos. The stone beads are lapis lazuli. It has a dolphin catch, and is approximately 16 1/4" long (41.5cm).  The jewelry is made in heavy 22k goldplate over jeweler's bronze (not the zinc or pewter used in low cost reproductions).  The plating is better than six microns, the same thickness used to plate quality pocket watches. We use quality stone beads. Our necklaces are strung on Soft Flex® Wire, the finest beading wire on the market. Constructed of 21 micro spun, marine quality, stainless steel wires woven together and then nylon coated, it is hypoallergenic and can be worn in and out of salt or fresh water.

Price: $145.00

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