Beading: the history of occurrence

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Among the varieties of needlework, beadwork occupies a special place. The history of its origin goes back to ancient times. This type of folk art is very popular and widespread in many countries. It developed in time with fashion trends, and the evolution of this material and the techniques of working with it took place at the same pace as social progress.

BC

The history of beading began even before the advent of the great ancient civilizations. This material has always attracted masters of different eras with its aesthetic qualities. The art of working with it originated in the time of primitive people.

Even in ancient times, when there was no such thing as "beads", people decorated their bodies with products made from stones or animal fangs, in which holes were made for the rope.

Beads were also popular during the times of mighty ancient empires. Our ancestors used them as decorations and as a means of protection from evil spirits. Among the artifacts of far from one nation, archaeologists to this day find polished stones in which holes were drilled.

First submissions

History of occurrencebeading and beadwork also originates from the times when people made accessories for themselves from various seeds, pods, nuts, shells, as well as claws and bones. Far more than one person believed that if he wears any of the parts of a killed animal, such an ornament will protect him from the attacks of this beast or make him stronger and more courageous.

The history of beads and beadwork is also connected with the creation of clay beads by our ancestors. Potters fired them and covered them with paint. When crafts began to develop, metal balls with a hole began to spread. Jewelry and talismans were made from them, they served as a bargaining chip, they even symbolized we alth and power.

Indians

With the help of jewelry, people expressed their worldview. These views were especially popular among Native Americans. The history of the emergence of beading is inextricably linked with the Indians, who used beads to decorate houses, weaved ribbons from them into their hair, and embroidered clothes with them. No headband, ritual belt, baby cradle or snuff box could be decorated without this element of fittings.

In North America, they also used beads made from shells and feathers. Also, a lot of other materials were used to create them. For example, corals, turquoise, silver, etc. were processed for this purpose.

Jade was very popular among the Mayans and Olmecs. In addition, archaeologists have found beads based ongold and rock crystal. And the ancient Egyptians most often used special crystals to create beads.

Ancient Egypt

The history of the creation of beadwork goes back to Ancient Egypt, which is rightfully called the birthplace of this type of needlework. The fact is that it was in this country that glass was invented about 3 thousand years ago, from which the production of the first real beads began. At first they were opaque and were used to decorate the clothes of the great pharaohs. The Egyptians also wove beaded necklaces and embroidered dresses for them.

The history of the development of beading keeps pace with the development of all mankind. At the first stages of their existence, these beads served as a material for embroidery and the most common threading. But over time, new, evolved applications began to appear.

The invention of mesh weaving was the impetus for the emergence of independent products from this fitting. Then, various patterns and patterns began to be used more and more often, and beading moved to a new level. The Egyptians combined glass beads with various precious stones and precious metals. Jewelry created from this material began to spread to other countries.

The Roman Empire and the whole world

Immediately after Egypt, Syria took over the baton in beading, and then the entire Roman Empire, followed by the whole world. The Chinese invented a device that consisted of wires stretched in a wooden frame, according towhich the beads glided. It is used to this day and is called an abacus.

The Romans were actively selling beads in all regions of the empire. This fitting was also not alien to the ancient Celts and Vikings, who wove beads and bracelets from it, embroidered clothes. Some ancient peoples used it as a bargaining chip.

The history of beadwork in Russia dates back to the times of nomadic Sarmatian and Scythian tribes. Beaded clothes and shoes were very popular among them. Even a few centuries before the beginning of our era, they already sheathed the collars, sleeves and chest of shirts with glass beads. Not without colorful beads and decor bloomers, belts and hats.

Venice

Beading, whose history is inextricably linked with glassmaking, was also actively developed in Venice. After the Roman Empire collapsed, many masters from Greece and Byzantium moved to this republic. In the 10-12 centuries, beads and various handicrafts from them were produced here.

And since the 13th century, this industry has reached a new level here. In the early 90s, all glass factories were moved to the island of Murano. Craftsmen made a wide variety of beads, beads, buttons, as well as dishes and mirrors. They also actively sold all their creations.

Naples differed from other handicraft centers in that it has been processing corals for centuries. glass technology carefullyhidden by the Venetian masters. The recipe for making soda was a particularly big secret.

It was added to the sand to get the material on which the beading was based. The story also tells about the fact that glass was banned from being exported from Venice so that no outsider could unravel the secret of its creation.

Starting from the 14th century, each glassmaker of the republic was considered a representative of the privileged strata of society. At 15, the Murans received their own administration, judicial system and currency. From that moment until the 17th century, the art of Venetian glassmakers experienced its best times.

This region has been the only producer of real beads for centuries. Its merchants brought accessories to the East and West, exchanging them for spices, silks and, of course, gold. African tribes used beads as a bargaining chip.

Europe

Beading, the origin of which is inextricably linked with its spread around the planet, was in great demand in Europe. In her countries, entire warehouses were built for this material and special fairs were held for the sale of beads.

The most valuable was considered a shiny and small beads, which had a diameter of half a centimeter. Brocade beads, as well as those polished from the inside, covered with gold or silver, were very popular.

The discovery of America and the shortcut to India also influenced beading. The history of its creation has moved to a new level. Instead of glass workshops, they beganbuild large factories. Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, England and France became the centers of such large-scale production. Jewelery was also on sale in Northern Europe.

New technologies

The second half of the 18th century brought new improvements in beading. History and modernity merged with the advent of machines that made glass pipes. Thanks to this technology, the production of beads has become much faster and cheaper.

High competition in the market between Venice and Bohemia has become a powerful impetus for craftsmen to come up with a variety of colors, shapes and sizes of these accessories. She is gaining wide popularity among European ladies. Clothes embroidered with beads become the most fashionable.

The collections of the State Hermitage to this day keep unique examples of wardrobe items from that period. Because glass beads resist time so well, they still retain their brilliance and appeal.

Modernity

At the crossroads of the 19th and 20th centuries, this material was also in very high demand all over the world. It was used to decorate handbags, wallets, cup holders and other items.

Beads are still widely used today both for creating fashionable jewelry and in working on individual details of wardrobe items. The history of beading for children is very interesting and multifaceted. It can serve as an incentive for them to start doing this beautiful kind of needlework.