The Why In Design Column:
For the Love of Scarabs,
Let's Channel The Past With the Present...
This month, we expanded our root cellar designs' offerings to include clutches and small handbags. With all the beautiful textiles in the market today, we foresee a return of the fabric handbag While at the Paris Flea Market a few years back, I picked up some beautiful vintage bronze scarab fittings, and we added them as toggles and clasp accoutrements to our bags.
scarabs on our new denim twill clutches
Why Do People Carry and Wear Scarabs Symbols?
The Scarab was considered sacred to the ancient Egyptians and they were seen as a symbol of the heavenly cycle and meant rebirth or regeneration.
This got me thinking about insects, specifically Scarabs. It's no wonder these colorful, iridescent, intricate insects have adorned our favorite home items. Scarabs were an iconic design and fascination by the Egyptians, yet became uber chic during the Victorian Era since the Brits were enamored with them, specifically beetles and butterflies. It was not unusual that a Victorian Parlor would show a scientific display of pinned butterflies, and they adorned insects in their art, sculpture, jewelry, architecture and home accessories during the 64-year Victorian era from 1837-1901. Although the Victorian design aesthetic was layered and combined many design styles together in one space, there were many beautiful pieces and design styles that grew from this era and soon had a revival. The "Egyptian Revival" brought the Scarab to the 19th century, and it soon began appearing more frequently on furniture, accessories, jewelry and garments in the home.
19 century scarab jewels
Happy Nesting
