- Latest Additions
- Bronze Celtic Rings
- Bronze Medieval Rings
- Bronze Roman Rings
- Silver Ancient Rings
- Silver Celtic Rings
- Silver Medieval Rings
- Silver Roman Rings
- Gold Ancient Rings
- Ancient Artefacts
- Ancient Bracelets
- Ancient Brooches
- Ancient Crosses
- Ancient Earrings
- Ancient Pendants
- Miscellaneous Items
- Viking Jewellery
- All Gold Jewellery
- All Silver Jewellery
- All Celtic Jewellery
- All Medieval Jewellery
- All Roman Jewelry
- Sale Items
Authentic Celtic Jewellery - History
Ancient Celtic Jewelry
The Celts developed a strong style that has endured to this day. Silver and gold were used by Celtic jewellery craftsmen between 2000 BC to around 550 AD silver to make outstanding Celtic jewelry. Celtic symbols were inevitably the subject of the Celtic jewelry craft, and evident in the final products as evident in modern-day examples.
Nature played a large role in the patterns used in the Celt’s jewellery design but it was the intricate patterns that proved to be universal and to have the long-lasting appeal.
Their earliest jewellery pieces were items such as neck torcs and decorative brooches which these have been adapted over the years to suit the tastes of the time whilst still remaining true to their origins. Torcs were worn by Celtic warriors in battle and the design of twisted bands of metal was believed to protect the wearer. As this was often the only thing that was worn in battle, it was definitely a good luck charm as opposed to offering any form of physical protection. The jewelry design is still used today in neck torcs but has been mainly scaled down to be a more practical Celtic bangle.
One such pattern was the Trinity knot or Triquetra, which has been found in many Celtic artforms right across Northern Europe. Originally, it may have been a symbol of Odin but it was soon incorporated into the Christian religion as the three pointed symbol could be easily interpreted as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Celtic Cross
When one thinks of Celtic jewelry, the Celtic cross may come to mind first. The Celtic cross had it's start in the British Isles, appearing primarily in Ireland. This Celtic symbol has long represented the bridge or passage between heaven and earth. The four arms may also be connotative of the four elements (fire / earth / air / water).
The Celtic Knots and Spirals
Spirals, step patterns, and key patterns are dominant motifs in Celtic art prior to the Christian influence on the Celts, which began around 450 A.D. These designs found their way into early Christian manuscripts and art work with the addition of depictions from life, such as animals, plants and even humans.
Also referred to as the mystic knot, or the endless knot. The more esoteric or spiritual meaning of this symbol eludes to beginnings and endings. In viewing these beautiful knots, we cannot see a beginning or and end, and therefore we are reminded of the timeless nature of our spirit. This translation harkens to our most primal selves as we contemplate the infinite cycles of birth and rebirth in both physical and ethereal realms.
Most of the Celtic knot drawings consist of Celtic circles and symbols that basically represent the mysticism associated with the beginning and end of our physical existence. When you look closely, you will notice that the Celtic knot symbols do not have a beginning or end, something that portrays the timeless nature of our existence. Spiritually, the symbols reflect the connection that we humans have with the infinite universe that seems to exist on the outside, but is actually present within every human being. Some historians also believe that the symbols represent an uninterrupted life cycle, wherein the soul continues to make its journey from one body to another, until it attains nirvana and merges with the source of all things in this universe.