Necklace Date Unknown

This necklace, made of small beads on thread, is of unknown origin. Its anonymity poses particular challenges and opportunities for the social historian. Jewellery, across many cultures, indicates social status. It distinguishes a person in terms of identity, gender, age, religion, or political affiliation. By looking closely at the materials and techniques used in its production we can tell something about the culture that produced it. Where did the materials come from? What kind of craft workshops or informal industries were responsible for manufacturing this kind of object? How widely was it traded, and in what social circles did it circulate? Was it worn mostly by men or women, rich or poor, young or old? An object like this necklace might tell us something about the society that made it, but to find out more we have to look beyond its simple form to the historical evidence, like photographs, letters, or trade records. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social context.