Symbols of Beauty: Motifs and Meaning in Jewellery Design
Throughout history, jewellers have drawn on symbols and motifs to give pieces an added layer of meaning.
From insects and flowers to clovers and stars, these forms have been used to reflect ideas about luck, change, identity and belief. Many of these symbols continue to resonate today, particularly during moments in the calendar such as this month’s International Women’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day.
The dragonfly is one example. Popular in jewellery at the turn of the 20th century, it was embraced by designers working in the Art Nouveau style, and later became associated with the suffragette movement, representing ideas of change and resilience. Around International Women’s Day, it offers a reminder that jewellery can sometimes reflect moments in social history as well as trends in design.
The shamrock or clover also carries its own meaning. Long connected with Ireland, the four-leaf form has traditionally been associated with good fortune and faith. During the Victorian period, when botanical motifs were widely used in jewellery, clover designs appeared frequently in brooches, pendants and other pieces. Around St Patrick’s Day, the motif remains instantly recognisable and widely worn.
Nature more broadly has also provided jewellers with rich inspiration. Butterflies, bees, swallows and flowers appear throughout the history of jewellery design, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when designers increasingly turned to natural forms. The worker bee, in particular, has associations with industry and cooperation, and became an emblem of Manchester during the height of its textile trade, later finding its way into jewellery as a marker of identity and pride.
At Bentley & Skinner we are proud to showcase historic designs that capture both the beauty and craftsmanship of their time, as well as the intrinsic meanings they carry.
See more from our collection of dragonfly designs below.
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