As a part-time and a full-time teacher, Metcalf (1998) wonders where the boundaries of jewellery lie, and what aesthetic potential the field offers because perceptive writing on jewellery is scarce. The theory of painting and sculpture offers very little value because it is always based one agenda of the traditional “fine arts” and they don’t focus more on Jewellery. But he has come to a belief that Jewellery is characterized by social and psychological utility, with the ability to touch people.
Jewellery can be regarded as a body of objects but yet again the definition of the term ‘’jewellery’’ is a bit of a futile exercise. But he has managed to investigate the vast production of historical jewellery and his focal point were the adornment employed in preliterate cultures and examining contemporary western jewellery objects. Then a list of qualities and functions that together define the word was compiled.
Jewellery can be regarded as a body of objects but yet again the definition of the term ‘’jewellery’’ is a bit of a futile exercise. But he has managed to investigate the vast production of historical jewellery and his focal point were the adornment employed in preliterate cultures and examining contemporary western jewellery objects. Then a list of qualities and functions that together define the word was compiled.
Metcalf thinks that jewellery falls between sculpture on one side and garments on the other. I think by saying that he clearly indicate that jewellery can be made to be viewed isolated from the human body like a sculpture. Most jewellery is made to be worn or imagined being worn. Jewellery can be made to complete a certain look, be an everyday wear and a statement piece. And I think when he mention garments he thought of how jewellery helps to complete a certain look only because jewellery is not an ornament that can keep you warm and dry, that’s why he says the line between garments and jewellery is unclear.
Traditionally, jewellery is made to be attached to the body or to clothing. But on the body some varieties demand alteration of the body itself, as in you need your ears pierced in order to wear earrings and for the nose ornaments same thing applies.
Jewellery has always been used to decorate human figure and the word decorate has all kinds of evil idea but it is used without any negative overtones. Then the definition goes back to the characterization of psychology utility and the word decorate satisfies psychological purposes.
Jewellery has always been used to decorate human figure and the word decorate has all kinds of evil idea but it is used without any negative overtones. Then the definition goes back to the characterization of psychology utility and the word decorate satisfies psychological purposes.
Decoration can be defined in many ways, but most decoration is an orchestrated collection of signs with particular meanings and overtones. It create a complex statement of social fact and personal fantasy of which some people might have a different understanding or interpretation. By saying that has come to the subtext of jewellery being marked as a social identity and status.
Social identity and Status means that you can be easily identified by what kind of jewellery you wearing which is the coded information that societies evolve for jewellery that can be employed to the wearer different from his neighbours.
Another traditional function of Jewellery is portable and redeemable wealth where jewellery is utilized as a life insurance policy and also wealth being kept attached on the body for personal needs. It is also associated with Spiritual Mediation where symbols can be worn as a protection ornament or as a constant reminder of one’s faith.
Each of these function partly defines jewellery and some ornaments work hand in hand to outline the five functions that traditionally define jewellery.
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