What did jewelry makers do in the middle ages?

Answer 1

Craftspeople in the medieval times were important to their communities. They milled crops, built houses, they made metal works and blacksmith, shoemaking, weaving, candle making and made pottery and baskets. These all were trades mastered by the craftsmen. .

Answer 2

The period covered in this chapter will be from the fall of the Roman Empire, approximately 500 AD to the expulsion of the Moslems from Spain in 1492, which many historians consider the end of medieval history. Although these years embody the longest period of human history, there are intertwining events that work to hold this time together. The growth of Christianity continued to evolve, giving many estranged peoples a similarity of beliefs. This religious development had many effects throughout a tumultuous world, ranging from the broadening formation of universities, to the violence of the ensuing crusades. Contrary to many popular beliefs, the middle ages did not cause a halt to creativity. Under the auspices of Charlemagne, the Carolingian renaissance occurred. There was also an Irish renaissance during which was created many spectacular illuminations such as the book of Kells.

After the fall of the roman empire, design of jewelry became less important than the portraying of a mystical significance in the piece. Speed was desired over quality, most probably because of the feeling of "impending doom" due to the drastic change in life as it had been known. As Christianity spread, one institution was produced which brought back the perfection sought in earlier times. Strange as it may seem, the monastery holds this position. For the men who became monks, it was essential that they practice a trade to keep the monastery flourishing. While the majority of the monks turned to farming or wine making, some of them preferred goldsmithing. Most of their talent for this art was concentrated on ecclesiastical jewels. Even when the jeweller was commissioned by private patrons, there was always a strong religious influence.

Like the jewelers of the pharaohs, the monk craftsman was expected to be not only a goldsmith, but a designer, sculptor, smelter, inlay and enamel worker, and an expert in the cutting and mounting of stones. Their methods were not much improved, for they retained those used by the "pagans". Less is known about the creations of these monks than earlier jewelers, because the practice of burying a man's possessions with him was a custom disapproved of in this developing religion of Christianity. For this reason, many precious stones have been removed from pieces created in the middle ages and the metal melted down for use when new designs were formed, when capital was needed to support a conflict or a monarch wanted to continue to live in the manner to which he was accustomed.

When monasteries turned more to the business of religion in the later middle ages, workers in the same metals developed a different method of production. Jewelers with similar interests, who produced similar objects, consorted together and often dwelt on the same streets and thoroughfares for protection. This also led to a smoother pursuance of their business. In France, these groups of jewelers were known as corporations, while in England they assumed the name of guild.

An example of these organizations of jewelers was the worshipful company of goldsmiths located in London. Like many of the guilds, this was developed in a semi-religious mode. They all had a patron saint and the worshipful company's was St. Dustan. Because of the institution of a system of purity for the metal used, this guild established a high reputation. This association of goldsmiths also fixed a standard "by which the quality of the wares wrought by the members could be gauged and known". One of the most important duties associated with the creating of jewelry was the thorough scrutinization with which every article for sale had to pass. Several practices were used to cheapen jewelry, which the guild protected against. Tin was often covered with gold so cleverly that the public was easily deceived. In addition, counterfeit stones were used to replace real jewels.

As the manufacture of jewelry became more involved, guilds divided into different areas. The busiest of these guilds was involved with making brooches. This organization was further divided, with the fine work done by the goldsmith and the everyday brooches created by the lower orders of craftsman.

Answer 3

Would you believe that they made Jewelry.

Answer 4

Anything