THE FUNCTIONS OF ARMENIAN FEMALE ADORNMENTS (XVIII-XX CC.)
Adornments as cherished keepsakes vary with their roles and significant meanings behind them. They have existed throughout history from ancient times to the present in particular ways to represent their positive and beneficial aspects as well as aesthetic value and beauty, belief and affiliation, custom and tradition to define social status within a community. Due to the provision of great amount of information about the adornments by early male and female wearers we come to know the wide spectrum of their performance indicating function and quantity, type and purpose, gender and age, time and circumstances. Articles of adornment progressed through ages in forms and in ways of wearing. One of the prized and popular purposes for jewelry is to signify valued relationships and bonding experiences to bring good luck to the person who possesses them. The symbolism often makes jewelry more meaningful and important carrying a positive connotation integrated into the design. They often serve as gifts. The form of donation (e.g. during the wedding rituals), oblation (e.g. to the church or a holy spring), getting and receiving adornments are very striking.
On a larger scale studies on decorations of XVIII-XX cc. shed light on several benefits and several ideas of a strong positive message. The forms and the patterns of the decorations include symbols, often combination of symbols, associated with the sun, the moon, water (wavy lines), plants (bud, almond, flower, branches etc.), animals (snake, fish, frog, bee etc.), dragons and so on. From this point of view supernatural might of the metals, the precious stones and shells bring happiness and healing. The colours of artificial beads, wooden beads, made of the sacred trees wood and coins having apotropaic properties were considered to have a specific function as well. The rare inscriptions used as patterns are fairly notable too.
There are fascinating materials in the Armenian folklore that add depth and a range of concepts to the context of the adornments which facilitate to recognize the character of the decorations profoundly and think about their prominent role within the Armenian culture.
