#7366 bee

Our world teems with the 'little creatures'. Most of the time, we are barely aware that they are there. Creeping and crawling, flying and fluttering by the thousands. It takes an artist to notice and the jewelry artists have noticed. Over the centuries, jewelers have brought these beauties to our attention in many ways and forms. From rings and earrings, to brooches and bangles, butterflies, ants,  dragonflies and even flies, all the little bugs we ignore or swat away are transformed into creatures of beauty by the jewelry artist. 

#7515 dragonfly necklace

From ancient times, tiny creatures were observed and recorded by the jeweler. Scarabs were deified in Ancient Egypt and they appear - sometimes the real thing and sometimes in reproductions - in many of their artworks.
When the Europeans began studying and copying the Ancient cultures, these subjects came back into vogue.
#7538 earrings with scarabs.

Strangely, some insects are viewed with revulsion in reality and but are in great demand in jewels. We spoke about many such larger creatures in post 261. The same is true with little guys like flies, spiders and mosquitoes. What is it about the form of these creatures that makes them dazzle? 
#7144 fly
#7567 fly

Of all insects, it is the butterfly that has intrigued us more than any other. Butterflies are naturally beautiful, with their amazing glittering colors and patterns, their flitting around flowers, representing the joy of nature and their associations with transformation and rebirth. We could write a long post about other symbols of the butterflies from their fragility and beauty to the sheer joy of Nature's beauty, but you will each have your own association and response to these lovely, spirit-invoking creatures. 

#6835 butterfly
#6920 butterfly

                                   

This exact quality of metamorphosis intrigued many jewelry artists in particular those of the Art Nouveau era. Rene Lalique is best known for his transformative subjects such as women transforming to dragonflies. Here is a beautiful example of an Art Nouveau jewel with a winged woman.
#6103

Larger creepy creatures such as lizards are also immensely popular in jewelry and look absolutely stunning when seen creeping across your lapel or shoulder.  Tres chic!! So elegant!!

It's not only in jewelry that insects made popular subjects. Antique glass and porcelain are highly sought after when they depict the 'little creatures'.
#3149  Galle dish      
#1010 Meissen trivet  

#5744 miniature silver carousel with animals.
This is part of a series of blog posts all about animals in antique jewelry. 

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