Thursday 4 March 2010

VTT 8 - Bronze Kalevala jewelry

Thursday again, and time to dig up the vintage treasures. Sometimes I think there can't be anything worth showing any more, because I'm not an active collector, I don't go to places and buy new to me vintage thingies. Then I look around and see that practically everything here is vintage, because I'm old enough. Even our wedding presents are very soon to be counted as vintage.

This week I'm showing you some of my oldest bronze Kalevala jewelry, just because we celebrated the 175 years of  Kalevala on the 28th of February. Kalevala jewelry was originally based on archeological finds from around the 11th century and newer also. They are not exact copies, but always true to the spirit of the old finds. Usually they are made in bronze, silver and gold, often the gold version being smaller. Here is a video about the production.

This heart pendant is still produced, but mine is from my school days in the 60's. 1960's I mean.



The little brooch represents the sun.



And finally a bracelet, really dark now but this one is also bronze:




I just now remembered I also have another bronze bracelet, you can see the picture and the story here. Bracelets are not so easy to wear when you are doing something with your hands, so I keep forgetting about them. The pendants and brooches look not too festive in everyday use because the material is bronze. It is my favourite material for this kind of jewelry.

I hope I didn't bore you to death with all this history info, I sometimes get a little carried away. More fun finds are listed at Suzanne's blog Coloradolady. Happy VTT!


20 comments:

  1. This was utterly fascinating Ulla- never apologise for History- it makes us who we are today. Love the jewellery.

    My friend Jeff does something similar:
    http://simply-said.co.uk/archaeofacts/introduction.htm in the UK.

    The Kalevala is in my pile of "To Be Read" -on the last 1/3 of Winter Hol at mo but it is after the Ransomes.

    Thank you for such a lovely topic.

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  2. Wonderful bronze jewelry! I'm crazy about the brooch!

    Its great to hear that a wonderful company like Kalevala is still going strong...their work is beautiful.

    I'm not participating today...yesterday was a vintage milestone for me and I'm still recovering. :)

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  3. Ulla~ my dear, you never disappoint with your post. What wonderful pieces of jewelry, the brooch is wonderful!! Hope you have a great VTT and a great week ahead!! Poor Miri....no need for such a long recovery!!!

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  4. The history is what makes the pieces so interesting. I really like the designs of their jewelry, even though I don't like to actually wear jewelry.

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  5. History NEVER bores me. Thank you for sharing. Happy VT
    Ann

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  6. Nothing boring about your post. I loved seeing all those vintage jewelry pieces. I wish I had kept some of mine, but it is too late now.

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  7. such interesting jeweleries.. 1960s.. thanks for sharing.. happy VTT

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  8. Gorgeous pieces!! Love vintage pieces...because they are just like us...not antique..YET!!;o)
    Paulette

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  9. Older things are more meaningful, especially as we get older. Very lovely jewelry. I have a charm bracelet from my childhood. FILLED with charms and a box of charms that wouldn't fit on the bracelet. It's fun to look at every now and then.

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  10. I have never heard of Kalevala jewellery. My mom left Finland just after the war. Is the jewellery something newer? I would love some bronze jewellery - must keep my eyes open. Most of mine are silver with a few pieces in gold.

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  11. Enjoyed reading about your Kalevala jewelry. It's nice you still have these pieces and treasure them!

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  12. Wonderful jewelery! I also have a few things from my childhood. Thanks for sharing yours.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  13. I love your vintage jewelery. For me, vintage things mean so much more if they have become vintage by me or my family hanging on to them since they were new! Peace, Stephanie

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  14. Very interesting. 'National awakening'.... Thanks for sharing.

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  15. I think the jewelry is beautiful and it's wonderful that you saved it from when you were in school- I think we have largely been living in a throw away world for the past few decades and it's nice that there are those of us out there who value our past and cherish the items tied to it!

    Lovely post!

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  16. I love the heart pendant and the bracelet Ulla!

    Did you see my Sanna Annukka post from last Sunday? Through her I discovered the Kalevala, and mean to read it someday.

    bit.ly/9NUkhW

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  17. The jewelry is so beautiful, so charming, especially the brooch. thanks for sharing!

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  18. I love your jewelry..and I truly enjoyed the history you gave on it. It was fascinating.. Happy VTT,have a wonderful weekend.

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  19. Those are beautiful pieces! Never seen those. Thank you very much for sharing :)

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  20. This was so interesting- I think jewellery in particular that's made on old patterns is wonderful, keeping traditions alive. I have a few Irish designed pieces based on stone age jewellry which my Mom has bought me over the years, silver and pewter mainly, and I treasure them.

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