Madeleine Albright the X- US secretary of state came to my notice recently; not because of her politics and successful career, but because of her love of jewellery especially brooches and pins.
She was once asked why she was wearing a snake brooch. She replied "because Saddam Hussein has just called me a snake"
Soon the world was looking at her huge collection of brooches and pins to guess her mood or that reflected what work she was doing at the time.
Most women usually match a brooch to the outfit or pick their favorite to wear. But this concept used by Madeleine to communicate a message is not new. For many years ancient civilizations wore jewellery that had a meaning. King Tutankhamun's bracelets, the ones found on his mummified arms had symbolic devices forming the principal decoration. Along with the gold inlay, coloured stones and glass. The eye of the sky and war god, Horus and the scarab beetle were the potent symbols used on most of his bracelets and bangles..
Victorians often gave Mizpah pins and love brooches to their loved ones. They were adored with initials and names, many had symbols to say - good luck, friendship or wedded bliss.
So tomorrow instead of wearing jewellery to look good, resurect the symbolic meaning and send out a powerful message instead.
Try a shield brooch for protection
A Russian floral brooch to give an aura of harmony.
Wear a lucky heather brooch to a job interview or to take a driving test.
Or this vintage Christmas brooch of a basket of flowers to get through a Christmas lunch with the dreaded in laws!!
Read My Pins is Madelineine Albright's autobigraphy. Haven't read this yet but intend to soon.
Next time you look at someone's brooch and think - has it a meaning.....
She was once asked why she was wearing a snake brooch. She replied "because Saddam Hussein has just called me a snake"
Soon the world was looking at her huge collection of brooches and pins to guess her mood or that reflected what work she was doing at the time.
Most women usually match a brooch to the outfit or pick their favorite to wear. But this concept used by Madeleine to communicate a message is not new. For many years ancient civilizations wore jewellery that had a meaning. King Tutankhamun's bracelets, the ones found on his mummified arms had symbolic devices forming the principal decoration. Along with the gold inlay, coloured stones and glass. The eye of the sky and war god, Horus and the scarab beetle were the potent symbols used on most of his bracelets and bangles..
Victorians often gave Mizpah pins and love brooches to their loved ones. They were adored with initials and names, many had symbols to say - good luck, friendship or wedded bliss.
So tomorrow instead of wearing jewellery to look good, resurect the symbolic meaning and send out a powerful message instead.
Try a shield brooch for protection
A Russian floral brooch to give an aura of harmony.
Wear a lucky heather brooch to a job interview or to take a driving test.
Or this vintage Christmas brooch of a basket of flowers to get through a Christmas lunch with the dreaded in laws!!
Read My Pins is Madelineine Albright's autobigraphy. Haven't read this yet but intend to soon.
Next time you look at someone's brooch and think - has it a meaning.....
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