Throughout antiquity, glass was used for jewelry in
place of more costly gems. Islamic artisans inherited
the glassmaking traditions of the past, and shaped
works of great vitality. With jewel-like colors and
bold shapes, they created ornaments prized by
princess and commoner alike. Imitating lapis,
turquoise, emerald, onyx or agate, glass jewelry
satisfied the age-old human passion for adornment.
Imagine this bangle upon the arm of some dark-
eyed beauty as she exchanged laughter and gossip
with her friends, dangling her fingers in the cool
waters of a fountain. From such a charming clue as
this, worn and cherished, we can picture a vanished
life, a distant time.
- (GF.0175)
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