Antiquities Ornamentation at The Louvre

We decorate our bodies with ornamentation for many reasons. For the beauty of the object, to enhance our image, or to show our wealth (in some cultures).

Louvre Museum exhibit, Small Antiquities, by DG Hudson 

Designs change as tastes change, but some basic styles appear timeless: necklaces, rings, cuffs, brooches, clasps, hair ornaments. Many of these designs could be worn today. The objects above and below show personal adornments of nobility or royalty.

The quality of workmanship is remarkable considering the tools of the era. Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian, Turquoise, Garnet, Hematite, Amethyst and other semi-precious stones appeared in designs frequently. Emeralds came into use for jewelry during the time when the Romans were in Egypt. Color and motif were important, according to beliefs. Scarabs signified rebirth, and amulets of collected gemstones were worn to protect against various evils: disease, bad luck, demons. . .

Ancient jewellry, Louvre Museum, by DG Hudson

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Antiquities buttons or closures or decorative elements on clothing? Finding such small artifacts from bygone times confirms our history on this Earth. The darker emblems feature male profiles and classical faces. This collection at the Louvre, shown below, definitely has a masculine cast. (Attempted lightening the dark areas, but Blogger refused to load that image.)

Louvre Museum, Small Artifacts, Paris, by DG Hudson

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A classic style collar necklace shown in the photo below features turquoise with green veins, a desired appeal because of the symbolism of green (life and fertility). This is reminiscent of the necklace style worn in many depictions of Cleopatra.

Louvre Museum antiquities display,by DG Hudson

The bracelet in front of the neckpiece is made of beads that had to be crafted, not machine made. Turquoise was a favorite, its bright colour accented by silver or gold. Copper was also used in small amounts.

This post joins others of my 'personal tour' bites of the Louvre Museum. They are meant to give you a taste of what is hidden behind those stone walls of the former palace. Exhibitions do change but some are permanent. Always check at the online site for updates.

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Have you see any exhibits of Egyptian jewelry or adornments? (via a traveling exhibit or?) Do you look at the small artifacts in a museum, the little things under glass?
Do you know how Cleopatra died? Please respond in the comments. I'm listening. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Louvre  Wiki on the Louvre Museum

http://www.louvre.fr/en/homepage  The Louvre website

http://crystal-cure.com/article-egypt-gemstones.html Egyptian semi-precious and gemstone history

http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/ancient-egyptian-gemstone-jewelry.php More Egyptian jewelry and significance of stones and color.

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CassaStorm! - the Book You've been Waiting for. . .

Alex J. Cavanaugh's
New Release Available September 17, 2013



CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

 

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy



Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

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Reviews:

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse


“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

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Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

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Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002

Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be

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Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

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Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

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Here's my question to the Capt'n:
 
Were there any other significant men in Athee's background, not including family? (any 'old flames' from the past)

His Answer:

I really hadn't thought about it! (What man really cares about the men in his woman's past?) She's attractive, so I imagine there were a few men vying for her attention before Byron.

So - What's in the Past, stays in the Past!

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Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win! One person will be chosen at random to win a Cassa mug, Cass mousepad, swag, and a $25 iTunes gift card (Or Amazon).

 

Have you read the first two books in this series? Are you a part of the Ninja Capt'n's Army or Clones? OR, Do you know who 'mini-Alex' is and where he came from?

If not, check out Alex's blog to find out more, but please leave a comment here first! Thanks for stopping by.

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MONET - 'Claude and Camille', A Book Review

A story of hardship, and dedication to a dream; a man who seeks his art and finds a woman who inspires that art. This book is about the life and love of an artist, Claude Monet and his muse, Camille (Doncieux) Monet.

Claude and Camille, by Stephanie Cowell

 Claude and Camille
A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell

From his hometown of Le Havre, Claude Monet set out for Paris, to discover his fortune and escape working in his father's naval supply shop. He starts with art classes and meets fellow painters Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Frederick Bazille, and several others who will become close friends of Claude early in his Paris life.

He discovers the young Camille first in a train station, but he memorizes how she looked. Then, he sees her again in her uncle's bookstore. Drawn to her innocence, he asks her to model for a painting. The more he sees her, the more he becomes obsessed with painting her. The family is not pleased with her association with an artist. Camille follows Claude but yearns for the city life and her family, while Claude prefers the seashore and small villages where he can paint. He feels a failure at not being able to provide what Camille is used to. Cities and social events cost money. So does paint. They move frequently.

When Camille is 22 years old, she and Monet live in Montmartre along with Renoir and others. The struggles Monet and the Impressionists have to endure to have the new art accepted weigh heavily on the young couple. They are always scrabbling for a roof over their heads and food on the table. If not for the generosity of some family and friends of the artists, Claude, Camille and many others would have fared worse.

Stephanie Cowell weaves a tale of truth and fiction that will wrap around your heart. In Claude and Camille, we learn what 'starving artists' means in the late 1800s, just as we see the unrelenting judgment of an artistic society who ensured these Impressionists would be excluded. One had to conform. Cowell shows the indecision that must befall performers of every sort. Recommended.

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Have you read this book? Did you know the model in many of Monet's paintings was his wife? If not, do you like this time period - late 1800s to early 1900s? Do you read biographies of artists, writers, etc.?

Please share in the comments, and thanks for dropping by. More information at the links below.

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Claude Monet - Impressionist Artist

More about the artist
http://dghudson.blogspot.ca/2013/08/claude-monet-impressionist-artist.html

More about the author - Stephanie Cowell
http://www.stephaniecowell.com/index.htm Home Page

Claude and Camille, published by Crown Publishers, a division of Random House, 2010.

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