Descrizione
Originally born as a symbol of both political and religious power, its origin dates back to the Bronze Age
;
a simple smooth circle made of wood, plant fibers interwoven with strips of leather or bronze, later replaced by iron in the eponymous era on which names, letters, symbols or hieroglyphics were engraved, mainly for religious purposes
The Mycenaeans created gold spiral or ribbon bracelets, engraved with geometric shapes with magical meanings
The Egyptians and Babylonians wore, even to the ankles, thick circles decorated with mythological images, engraved with enamels and set with turquoise scarabs.
Instead, the Greeks favored designs known as “rosary” designs; on strings or threads of gold they strung pearls, stones, and corals.
The Etruscans, great goldsmiths, put bracelets on the left humerus; they invented splendid models, composed of scales hinged to each other and embellished with ivory, amber, glass and coral.
Famous is their so-called “chimera” bracelet, rigid, open and ending in two faced heads: two of a lion, or one of a lion and the other of a goat.
Roman soldiers were distinguished by the use of “armillae” on their left arm, tall, smooth, flat gold hoops, a symbol of military valor.
Patricians, on the other hand, sported “dextrals,” more elaborate bracelets worn strictly on the right wrist; the “brachial torques,” shaped like a twisted cord, were also considered very refined.
Also from that era is the “slave-style” bracelet, in the stylized shape of a reptile coiled on itself, worn exclusively by women outside the s
