This time something beautiful for Sugar Skull and Mexico lovers.
Detailed etched sugar skull has been hand-shaped for a 3D effect, placed on additional bed of sterling silver.
Below American Spiny Oyster cross set among handmade flowers.
At the bottom flows another juicy Spiny Oyster.
All finished in matte patina.
Beautiful necklace to be worn on its own or layered with other treasures.
Please send me an email with preferred chain length. Otherwise it will be 18".
One of a kind! Won't be made again.
Love,
Lily
Sugar skulls have been closely connected with the early-November Day of the Dead celebration since the 18th century. On November 1st, to celebrate the Día de los Angelitos, miniature sugar calaveritas are placed on altares to represent the deceased children they’re honoring. On November 2nd, they’re replaced with larger versions to honor older deceased relatives. However, the production of sugar skulls actually began in Mexico in the 17th century, when abundant supplies of sugar were used to produce inexpensive versions of church decorations.
Sugar skulls can be either ornamental or edible, but they are always richly decorated. However, those intended to be used for ofrendas are definitely not meant to be consumed. The decoration of these alfeñiques or calaveras generally follows a few rules: they must be colorful, and they typically bear the name of the departed soul on the forehead. The practice of adding names began in the 19th century, and since then, numerous other decorative elements have been added. Take, for example, the flowers that surround the eyes – these supposedly symbolize life, whereas the forehead cobweb pattern symbolizes death. Therefore, the meaning behind sugar skulls is often complex — death is represented as a new start or a type of rebirth.
The term sugar skull is now commonly applied to anything that bears the distinct decorations of the originals whether it be a tattoo or a particular style of make-up. A sugar skull tattoo is used to memorialize a deceased loved one in a permanent way, whereas sugar skull make-up is popular among those attending Day of the Dead or (more commonly in countries outside Mexico) Halloween celebrations.
(www.theculturetrip.com)
