An excerpt from the beginning of the book: ON the insignia of authority of all peoples, be it scepter, staff of office, rod of empire or the simple rood of the primitive medicine man, there have been decorations, jewels, gold and silver. The ermine and the purple have been adorned with rare gems; the robes of state have nestled against the sheen of gold lace; the seal and the talisman have borne the embellishment of glinting jewels equally with the coronet, crown and diadem. The simple fillet of the peasant woman boasts ...
Read More
An excerpt from the beginning of the book: ON the insignia of authority of all peoples, be it scepter, staff of office, rod of empire or the simple rood of the primitive medicine man, there have been decorations, jewels, gold and silver. The ermine and the purple have been adorned with rare gems; the robes of state have nestled against the sheen of gold lace; the seal and the talisman have borne the embellishment of glinting jewels equally with the coronet, crown and diadem. The simple fillet of the peasant woman boasts its decorative twist; the snood of the maiden, the emblem of purity, is not guiltless of its dainty ornamentation; and even genius and bravery do not reject the laurel. From the crown of the monarch, where precious stones rival one another in glory, to the trinket of the untrained savage the same theme embraces all human kind in the pomp and array of its vanities and vainglory. Be it tinsel or gem, the rainbowed glint of the diamond, the sanguine glow of the ruby, the stillness of the sapphire, the restfulness of the emerald, or the peaceful pearl, even these have caught the rhythmic vibration of nature and decked themselves with her gala colors to perpetuate the annals of kingdom and crown. Primitive man had his conception of the beautiful in his rude way and his suggestions of decoration always. He may not have caught the glowing gem, but the threaded shell and varicolored pebble have answered his desire to decorate and beautify. Silver "chaste and steadfast" has ever served the will of courtly and gracious peoples. With exquisite effect it illustrated ancient art. The shah of Persia has his most precious gems set in silver. The poison of the ancients was concealed in a silver ring, that Hhe condemned might kiss its signet and die like a hero. The seal stones of Mohammed are set in silver. The Persian is not permitted to say his prayer with gold about him, and the chaste silver holds fast his jewels. In the ancient empires he who was emancipated from his slavery wore, as the emblem of his freedom, silver rings and ornaments. Antique legionary devices, the rarest in history, are found in silver. Amulets of silver were given to soldiers going to war as the marks, of valor or distinctive tokens. Many a Roman, when expelled from the equestrian order for libel, forfeiting his insignia of membership, a gold ring, wore a silver one in the bravado of his personal liberty. And so from the ages down, whenever and wherever decorations have been bestowed, silver has told the story everywhere. So with the Iroquois Indians. Save a little in brass all their jewelry has been silver. I have never seen a gold decorative ornament made by an Indian. The collection of brooches in the Indian museum at the capitol in Albany N.Y. includes nearly all designs used by the Iroquois brooch-makers since the coming of the paleface to their country. There is a legend of the olden days of the Iroquois, that somewhere in the northern part of the state of New York, a young chief was led by a dream through rocky passes to a mountain top. During his travels a glowing light, which preceded him, illuminated the rocks, wherein were embedded in layers long strips of shining silver metal. From its hiding place, it answered only to the magic light; yet the traveler was permitted to take one of the shimmering ribbons in his hand as proof that it was a vision of reality. His dream was repeated several times; and, remembering the path, he succeeded in invading the secret repository in the daytime, yet could not find the precious metal. All the rocks looked gray and sullen. Finally the privilege of farther knowledge was granted him, but he must work only by torch light, with the caution that, if he betrayed the treasure place, his power would be taken from him.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Iroquois Silver Brooches to cart. $13.70, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2021 by Legare Street Press.
Add this copy of The Iroquois Silver Brooches to cart. $24.45, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2021 by Legare Street Press.
Add this copy of The Iroquois Silver Brooches to cart. $25.72, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2021 by Legare Street Press.
Add this copy of The Iroquois Silver Brooches to cart. $32.29, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Legare Street Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 58 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of The Iroquois Silver Brooches (Hardback Or Cased Book) to cart. $32.30, new condition, Sold by BargainBookStores rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Grand Rapids, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2021 by Legare Street Press.
