Beading: the history of origin

Among the varieties of needlework a special place is beadwork. The history of its origin goes back to ancient times. This type of folk art is very popular and common in many countries. It developed in tune with the trends of fashion, and the evolution of this material and the techniques of working with it passed at the same pace as social progress.

BC

The history of the appearance of beadwork began even before the appearance of great ancient civilizations. This material invariably attracted masters of different eras with their aesthetic qualities. The art of working with him was born at the time of primitive people.

Even in the distant past, when there was no such thing as "beads", people decorated their bodies with products made of stones or animal fangs, in which holes for the rope were made.

Beads were also popular during the time of powerful ancient empires. Our ancestors used them as decorations and a means of protection against evil spirits. Among the artifacts of far from one people archaeologists still find polished stones, in which holes were drilled.

The first materials

The history of the origin of beads and beadwork also originates in those times when people made for themselves accessories from various seeds, pods, nuts, shells, and also claws and bones. Not one person believed that if he carried any part of the killed animal on himself, such an ornament would protect him from attacks of this beast or make him stronger and more courageous.

The history of beads and beadwork is also associated with the creation by our ancestors of clay beads. The potters burned them and covered with paint. When the crafts began to develop, metal balls with a hole began to spread. Of these, decorations and talismans were made, they served as a small change, even symbolized wealth and power.

Indians

With the help of jewelry, people expressed their worldview. Such views were particularly popular among Native Americans. The history of the appearance of beadwork is inextricably linked with the Indians, who used beads to decorate houses, weaved ribbons from them into their hair, and embroidered their clothes. Without this element of accessories, the decor of any headband, ritual belt, baby cradle or snuffbox did not do.

In North America, also used beads made from shells and feathers. A lot of other materials were also used to create them. For example, corals, turquoise, silver, etc. were processed for this purpose.

The Maya and the Olmecs were very popular with jade. In addition, archaeologists found beads, the basis for which were gold and rock crystal. And the ancient Egyptians often used special crystals to create beads.

Ancient Egypt

The history of the creation of beadwork is rooted in Ancient Egypt, which is rightly called the birthplace of this type of needlework. The fact is that it was in this country about 3 thousand years ago that glass was invented, from which the production of the first real beads began. At first they were opaque and used to decorate the robes of the great pharaohs. Also, the Egyptians wove necklaces of beads and embroidered their dresses.

The history of the development of beadwork moves in one step with the development of all mankind. At the first stages of its existence, these beads served as a material for embroidery and the most common stringing on the thread. But over time, new, evolved versions of their application began to appear.

The invention of mesh weaving has become the impetus for the emergence of independent products from this fittings. Then, different patterns and patterns began to be used more and more often, and beadwork was taken to a new level. The Egyptians combined glass beads with various precious stones and noble metals. Jewelry created from this material, began to spread to other countries.

The Roman Empire and the whole world

Immediately after Egypt, the baton in beadwork was taken over by Syria, and then by the whole Roman Empire, followed by the whole world. The Chinese invented the device, which consisted of wires tied in a wooden frame, along which the beads slid. It is used to this day and is called abacus.

The Romans actively conducted sales of beads in all areas of the empire. This furniture was also not alien to the ancient Celts and Vikings, who wove beads and bracelets from her, embroidered clothes. Some ancient peoples used it as a bargaining chip.

The history of beadwork in Russia dates back to the times of the nomadic tribes of the Sarmatians and Scythians. A great popularity among them used clothes and shoes, decorated with beads. A few centuries before the beginning of our era, they already wore glass beads collars, sleeves and chest shirts. It was not without colorful beads and decor of trousers, belts and hats.

Venice

Beadwork, whose history is inextricably linked with glassmaking, was also actively developing in Venice. After the Roman Empire collapsed, many masters from Greece and Byzantium moved to this republic. In the 10th and 12th centuries, beads and various hand-made articles were made here.

And since the 13th century, this industry has come here to a new level. In the early 90's, all glass factories were transferred to the island of Murano. Masters made a variety of beads, beads, buttons, as well as dishes and mirrors. Also they actively sold all their creations.

Naples differed from other handicraft centers by the fact that corals were processed there for centuries. The technology of creating glass was carefully concealed by Venetian masters. A particularly great secret was the recipe for the creation of soda.

It was added to the sand to get the material on which the beadwork was based. The story also tells about the fact that the ban on the removal of glass from Venice, so that no stranger could unravel the secret of its creation.

Since the 14th century, each glassmaker of the republic was considered a representative of the privileged strata of society. In 15, the Murans received their own administration, judicial system and currency. From this moment and the 17th century, the art of Venetian glassmakers experienced its best times.

This region for centuries remained the only producer of real beads. His merchants carried accessories to the East and West, exchanging it for spices, silk and, of course, gold. African tribes used beads as a bargaining chip.

Europe

Beadwork, whose history of origin is inextricably linked with its spread across the planet, was in great demand in Europe. In its countries, entire warehouses were built for this material and special fairs for the sale of beads were arranged.

The most valuable was the shiny and fine beads, which had a diameter of half a centimeter. The brocade beads were also very popular, as well as polished from the inside, covered with gold or silver.

Discovery of America and a short trip to India also influenced beadwork. The history of its creation has moved to a new level. Instead of glass workshops, large factories began to be built. The centers of such large-scale production were Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, England and France. Ornaments with might and main were also sold in Northern Europe.

New technologies

The second half of the 18th century brought new improvements in beadwork. History and modernity have merged with the emergence of machines that made tubes of glass. Thanks to this technology, the production of beads has become much faster and cheaper.

High competition in the market between Venice and Bohemia has become a powerful impetus for inventing the masters of various colors, shapes and sizes of this fittings. She gets wide popularity among European ladies. Clothes, embroidered with beads, becomes the most fashionable.

The collections of the State Hermitage still store unique examples of wardrobe items from that period. Since glass beads perfectly withstand time, they still retain their brightness and attractiveness.

Modernity

At the end of the 19th and 20th centuries, this material was also very demanding all over the world. It was used to decorate handbags, wallets, coasters and other items.

Beads are still widely used today to create fashionable jewelry, and in the work on individual items of wardrobe items. The history of beading for children is very interesting and multifaceted. It can serve as an incentive for them to start practicing this wonderful kind of needlework.