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Which kinds of jewelry were made for the head in ancient civilizations?
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jewelry
Stomacher brooch with emeralds and enamel flowers on gold, from the treasure of the Virgin of Pilar, mid-17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
In ancient civilizations, jewelry designed for the head served as both personal adornment and significant symbols of status, divinity, and honor. Across various cultures, these ornaments included:12
- Crowns and Diadems: These were prominent symbols of dominion and victory. In ancient Egypt, sovereigns wore specific crowns representing Upper and Lower Egypt, often adorned with the rearing uraeus serpent. During the Hellenistic period, elaborate diadems became widespread, sometimes featuring a Hercules knot that served as an amulet.1234
- Hair Ornaments: Craftsmen created various items to decorate the hair, including hairpins, combs, and intricate headdresses, such as the network of gold rosettes found in 18th-dynasty Egyptian tombs.15
- Facial and Ear Jewelry: Ornaments for the head also extended to earrings, nose rings, lip rings, and earplugs. Earrings, in particular, evolved from simple designs to sophisticated, sculptural works of art, such as those produced by Hellenistic goldsmiths.145
These pieces were often crafted from gold and embellished with semiprecious stones like carnelian, turquoise, and lapis lazuli.56