A tribute to French symbolic jewelry: a phoenix arising from the ashes

A tribute to French symbolic jewelry
A phoenix arising from the ashes


(Click the picture to see this antique French brooch)

One of the reasons French antique jewelry is world-wide appreciated is the use of symbolism, giving the jewelry a deeper meaning. A nice example we show here. What we first thought to be a griffin turns out to be a phoenix, just based on the other symbol attributes in the brooch.

We recognize a circle (set with rose cut diamonds) with flames representing the Sun or Fire, symbols of creation and destruction. The phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth, immortality, and renewal. The floral pattern breaking through the circle depicts the nest of aromatic branches and incense which the phoenix uses to set set himself on fire. From the ashes of that fire arises a new phoenix ...

This brooch could symbolize a transition from an old to a new era in one's life.

Antiqualy yours,


The Adin team
www.adin.be

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The Griffin

A guardian of treasures

The griffin, a strange and legendary hybrid creature, usually represented as being part eagle and part lion is normally known for guarding treasures. The griffin motif is found in sculptures of the
ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Greek and Romans; in beast allegories of the early Christians; and in Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages. The griffin remains common in heraldy, representing strength and vigilance.

A hybrid is a composite of two or more species of animal and/or human, and the seven most known hybrids are:

• The centaur
  In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.


• The cockatrice
  This creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted poultry parts.


• The giants (gigantes)
  These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).



• The griffin
  According to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.


• The harpy
  Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".


• The satyrs (faun)
  Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.


• The sirens
  Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their enchanted songs.

Visit our antique jewelry glossary for a more comprehensive explanation on griffins.

Click the picture to get to the descriptive page of this jewel.

Antiqualy yours,
The Adin team
www.adin.be

See our:

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Griffin (or gryphon)

(you can click the picture to get to its descriptive page)


Griffin (or gryphon)

The griffin is a Greek hybrid creature, a strange and legendary figure, usually represented as being part eagle, part lion, and occasionally part serpent. The griffin motif is found in sculpture of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and Romans; in beast allegories of the early Christians; and in Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages. The griffin remains common in heraldy, representing strength and vigilance.

A hybrid is a composite of two or more species of animal and/or human. Strange as they may appear, the Greeks were endlessly fond of fabricating these creatures - one will recognize hybrids in the earliest myths and legends, not to mention inhabiting numerous works of art. For the Greeks especially, these beings of the imagination must have had great significance, in that they represented the uncivilized forces in nature that opposed mankind.

The seven most known hybrids are:

The centaur
In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.
The cockatrice
This creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted poultry parts.
The giants (gigantes)
These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).
The griffin
According to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.
The harpy
Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".
The satyrs (faun)
Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.
The sirens
Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their enchanted songs.

See also our:
other griffin jewelry
our latest acquisitions
extensive antique jewelry glossary
antique jewelry style overview

reade more... Résuméabuiyad