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Rare Green Man Art Nouveau Edwardian Silver Purse

In Silver > Art Nouveau Silver > Show & Tell and Bags > Handbags and Purses > Show & Tell.
Art Nouveau Silver96 of 96Unusual Victorian Arts & Crafts Silver ChatelaineAntique? Silver pendant
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    Posted 14 years ago

    Kitty
    (23 items)

    This is just the kind of thing I love to find!! A very unusual and rare depiction of the Green Man on an Edwardian Silver Purse lined with verdant green moire silk. The workmanship and entire design is super. Of course in the 1900s there was a huge interest in the occult and also the influnce of the Arts and Crafts movement with it's emphasis on nature would have led silversmiths of the time to look to the symbolism of the pagan green man. The Green Man has many interesting meanings but is overall associated with renewal and the laws of nature and despite conflicting beliefs is seen by many as a lucky symbol of a return to growth after the long dark winter. I hope you like it as much as me!!

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    Comments

    1. Agram.m Agram.m, 14 years ago
      Just beautiful. This is a very nice way to spend money!
    2. imander imander, 14 years ago
      what a gorgeous object, really nice to look at and one i would love to own
    3. MsDowAntiques MsDowAntiques, 14 years ago
      What a fabulous piece. So ornate.

      You got me curious, so I had to look up The Green Man. Here's a summary of what wikipedia had on the term/theme --
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

      A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Usually referred to in works on architecture as foliate heads or foliate masks. The face is almost always male; green women are rare. Green cats, lions, and demons are also found. On gravestones and other memorials, human skulls are sometimes shown sprouting grape vines or other vegetation, presumably as a symbol of resurrection.

      The Green Man would appear to be pagan, and yet he frequently appears, carved in churches, where examples can be found dating from the 11th century through to the 20th century. From the Renaissance onwards, elaborate variations on the Green Man theme appear in many media other than carvings (including manuscripts, metalwork, bookplates, and stained glass). They seem to have been used for purely decorative effect rather than reflecting any deeply-held belief.

      In Britain, the image of the Green Man enjoyed a revival in the 19th century, becoming popular with architects during the Gothic revival and the Arts and Crafts era, when it appeared as a decorative motif in and on many buildings, both religious and secular.
    4. Kitty Kitty, 14 years ago
      Many thanks for your comments!! Best Wishes Kitty
    5. Yohanna Yohanna, 14 years ago
      Is a gorgeous piece I have a silver topped pill box similar embossed silver work makers mark Birmingham 1904-1907...will add it on my picures.
    6. terilaptophead, 14 years ago
      very nice
    7. Kathycat Kathycat, 12 years ago
      It's so Beautiful, I just LOVE it!!!!!
    8. kivatinitz kivatinitz, 10 years ago
      Birmingham data letter "g" 1906. Beautiful !!!

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