If you believe that men’s jewelry is becoming more and more popular in the twenty-first century, you need to study the rich history of men’s jewelry. It’s interesting to note that 30,000 years ago, people began to bind shells and animal teeth together to create jewelry for men. The common materials gave way to valuable metals, stones, etc. with the discoveries.
Men’s gold jewelry for royalty and emperors included sophisticated necklaces, rings, and other body ornaments. It also serves as a representation of social standing at the period. It’s interesting to note that historical literature, paintings, and stories attest to men’s passion for layering on jewelry in the past.
The Role of Jewelry and Accessories in Men
Everyone must have observed men’s jewelry in cave sculptures, books, paintings, and archaeological finds. After collecting all the data, the role of jewelry and accessories in men was quite evident.
Naturally, men loved wearing ornaments as they looked rich and defined their social status. For example, it gave an idea of clans, regions, and classes. The jewelry for rulers and priests differed from warriors and other classes of men.
For priests and shamans, accessories worn near the neck, hands, and head had a religious significance. As a result, valuable metals, gemstones, and other materials become a symbol of class. This trend is in practice with all kinds of men’s fashion jewelry, including both precious and normal jewelry.
Men’s Jewelry in Ancient Times
In the ancient ages of mysticism and the founding of civilizations, jewelry played the important roles of imbuing magical powers and signifying leadership. Claws and fangs were perforated and strung into necklaces, as they were believed to confer the strength and power of the animal to the wearer.
One such prehistoric necklace made of eagle talons was found in Croatia and was most likely worn by men 130,000 years in the past. In North Africa, a shell necklace dating back 82,000 years was discovered.
Religious orders in Ancient Egypt were made up of gilded men. Gold, Silver, and precious stones were revered as bridging the gap between mortals and gods. By covering their heads, necks, and arms with jewelry, priests, and shamans could be closer to divinity and wield spiritual influence over their followers more strongly.
Perhaps the earliest example of men’s jewelry being practical is the signet ring of the pharaohs. Such a ring had an official seal of royalty used to mark letters and documents. The Louvre has Tutankhamun’s signet ring on display.
In Ancient Greece, powerful men decorated their heads with laurels and draped their shoulders with garlands. Depending on the plant, these accessories showed which of the Greek pantheon of gods men of influence held in high esteem.
Adopting Grecian military traditions, Roman soldiers wore leather or metal cuffs to war for divine protection.
The Celts crafted some of the finest jewelry in the Metal Age. Tribal chiefs wore elaborate Silver and Gold pieces, while common men had iron, bronze, and copper accessories.
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Men’s Jewelry in the Middle Ages
As patriarchal beliefs rose in the Middle Ages, men’s jewelry started becoming more distinct from women’s jewelry. Signet rings increased in popularity, as markers of loyalty gained more importance among feuding noble families. These pieces also continued the idea of men’s jewelry serving both as symbols of wealth and as functional items.
Trade between Europe and Asia opened up in this period, and with it came the introduction of precious stones exotic to societies on both sides. From then on, all kinds of gems were encrusted into Gold and Silver and sewn into clothing made for nobility and royalty. Fashion had its beginnings for men of power.
The association between jewelry and the supernatural was still strong at this point in history. Men wore pieces etched with various markings as talismans to ward off evil spirits and gain mystical powers. The mark of a scorpion on a ring, for instance, was believed to grant healing to the wearer.
Men’s Jewelry in the Renaissance
The late Renaissance period was a boon period for men’s jewelry. European kings were bedecked in finery as seen in their portraits: Charles V was depicted in a ceremonial suit of armor lined with Gold jewelry in Titian’s portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor; Charles I of England was known to wear one large drop pearl earring, which became fashionable for men in the 16th century; Henry VIII’s portrait by Hans Holbein showcased the monarch’s bejeweled garb and glittering accessories.
Jewelry in fashion extended to the exciting life of explorers as well. Sir Walter Raleigh paired his Silver-embroidered doublet with a double-pearl earring. Men of the sea pierced their ears with hoops of Gold and Silver. Apart from being an aesthetic choice, the hoop earrings could also be used to pay for their proper burials, as an untimely death was an all too common fate for sailors and pirates.
Martial tradition also enjoyed a touch of glamour, as soldiers had decorative uniforms and even swords with Gold hilts and pommels studded with gemstones.
Indian royalty were adorned in jewelry as well. From the Mughal to the Maratha empires, the male rulers covered themselves in jewels and precious metals to signify their authority and opulence.
The 18th century also saw the invention of the watch chain. This timepiece became a staple for men’s wear in Europe, with fitted clothes necessitating the placement of watches outside one’s tiny pockets.
Men’s Jewelry in the Industrial Age and Onwards
Industrialization made jewelry more accessible to the masses, but with this accessibility came guidelines for how men should wear jewelry.
The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness by Cecil B. Hartley was published in 1860, detailing how a gentleman should conduct himself, including his fashion sense. Hartley reiterated the need for jewellery to be of practical use, and never just for ornamental purposes. Wristwatches, which were first more popular with women, became the foundational accessory that adhered to Hartley’s code of functional jewelry for men. Classy tie pins and cufflinks for cravats and sleeves also rose to prominence.
To distinguish themselves from the burgeoning middle class, the remnants of Western royalty discarded classical styles of jewelry for East Asian and modern designs.
By the 20th century, the conservative look for men was solidified with only the subtlest pieces of jewelry, such as pocket watches and flat, basic chains to lightly contrast with dark suits.
It wasn’t until the cultural changes ushered in during the ’60s that men started wearing bold chains, bracelets, rings, etc once more. Those particularly deep in the various counter cultures of the British post-war era from rock n roll and punk through to hip-hop and grunge would put on loud jewellery that was integral to their identities.
MEN’S JEWELRY TODAY
No matter who you are, adding some accessories can amp up your style while both serving a meaning and a purpose. There are no set rules in jewelry, and you are in no way limited by anything other than your imagination.
While Vikings and Spartans might have protected their bodies with bracelet-like bands, men today wear bracelets for other reasons. To keep that honor and culture with us and embrace the memories of times long gone.
Men also wear symbolic or engraved jewelry to show a significant other they care, and ornamenting your body meant so much in the past and is still relevant today.
sources: www.atolyestone.com | www.lackorecouture.com