bridal jewelry

A bouquet of flowers, a transparent veil and hair accessories - this is bridal jewelry as everyone knows it. What is less well known to many is that pearls also have a special significance in relation to the wedding.
According to a Hindu legend, the Indian god Krishna left his daughter bridal jewelry in the form of pearls that he brought up for her from the bottom of the sea.
In addition, pearls were considered an attribute of the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite (later the Roman Venus), who was born from the sea. Due to their symbolism, pearls were ideal as bridal jewelry at this time.

Even during the Middle Ages, when many ancient customs were forgotten, pearls retained their status. During the Crusades, returning warriors brought their ladies precious pearls from the countries of the Far East so that they could wear them as bridal jewelry.
In the following period, pearls were used as bridal jewellery, especially by royalty and the nobility. For example, the Hanover pearls that the future French queen Catherina de' Medici received as a wedding present. They include six beautiful pearl necklaces of exceptionally high quality and 25 loose pearls the size of walnuts.

The earrings with the teardrop-shaped Mancini pearls were also magnificent bridal jewellery and were first used to adorn Maria de' Medici and later her daughter Henrietta Maria de' Medici at her wedding in 1600.

The famous La Peregrina pearl belonged to Elizabeth Taylor and was auctioned from her estate for 1.84 million US dollars. As early as 1660, the 27.87-carat pearl served as bridal jewelry for Maria Theresa of Austria.
The diadem set with pearls and diamonds that Napoleon III had made as bridal jewelry for his wife Eugénie was also very glamorous.
During the 19th century, pearls were no longer reserved for the nobility. Artfully designed necklaces were created with numerous, very small pearls arranged in ornamental shapes.