Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornmentOstier, Marianne
History
Jewels and the woman: The romance, magic and art of feminine adornment
Ostier, Marianne
Jewelry
Just as there may be secrets caught into a gift to a woman, as when the
jewels spell out a sentiment, so a gift to a man may have its values
multiplied by a hidden message. That bar on the key chain, for example:
who but the two concerned know that it can open and reveal a tiny picture
of the beloved? Inside the ring may be their linked initials. In many
ways which will suggest themselves, according to the events in the
particular couple’s life, a secret shared in the gift keeps the love
twinkling.
_Special Gifts_
On various business and professional occasions, certain gifts have become
established by long practice. A twenty-fifth or other such anniversary in
business relations is appropriately marked by the gift of a gold watch.
Executives leaving their company may be given gold cigarette boxes or
cases.
To mark special appreciation of an employee, gold cuff links bearing the
seal of the company are a frequent testimonial. A gold watch may mark his
long and faithful service.
Various professions have their honors, as when a doctor is received
into the association of his specialty; in such cases there are usually
insignia that can be wrought into the gift.
_Historic Gifts_
Among givers of gifts, perhaps the nobles and the Czars of Russia have
been most lavish. The painted Easter eggs of the Russians are widely
known, and many amusing and artistic designs have been painted on actual
eggs. But the Easter egg jewels made by Fabergé are gem-studded works of
the lapidary’s art.
Czars and Emperors—Nicholas, Franz Josef—have bestowed upon persons, who
caught their favor, watches initialed in diamonds. Sometimes, however,
the Czar merely ordered the bestowal of the gift, leaving the details
to an officer of the court. This happened after the first command
performance of Chaliapin who scornfully refused the proffered watch,
saying that the Czar had never sent him that! Shortly after, Chaliapin
received another watch, this one with the Imperial coat-of-arms in
diamonds.
For King Zog of Albania, our firm developed a jewel that has grown in
popularity: a watch so thin that it is fitted inside of a hollowed coin.
Those coins bore a relief of King Zog on one side, his coat-of-arms on
the other; the watches were presented to high officers for supremacy in
horsemanship and other contests.
_The Presentation of a Gift_
In the United States, where the packaging industry has achieved
consummate skills, the way in which a gift is presented is particularly
important. The care taken in selecting the jewel must be reflected in the
container. The first thing the recipient sees is the wrapping; this must
quicken the anticipation of the surprise and delight inside.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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