Antique jewelry glossary

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Japanese jewelry

Articles of jewelry of very limited types made in Japan. During the Great Tombs period of the 3rd/6th centuries AD the use of Magatama beads was revived after they had been in disuse since the late Jomon period, c. 1000 BC.

As articles of personal adornment have been traditionally seldom used in Japan (until recent decades) and as few gemstones are produced, there are few examples of pre-20th-century Japanese jewelry other than lacquered combs and pins worn as hair ornaments by young women, and some simple forms of earrings. Some 3rd/5th-century stone bracelets in the form of faceted disks, found in coffins, are thought to be copies of metal bracelets worn during lifetime.

In recent years interest in jewelry has developed, but it is mainly reflected in mass-produced imitative pieces, although some original gold jewelry is emerging.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson