The country is about equal to the size of New Jersey and there are
some that think its name is derived from the Greek word Cupressus
Sempervirens which is the name for the cypress tree which in turn is
the etymological source for the name of the country called Cyprus
which is also–legend tells us–the birthplace of Aphrodite. Greek
goddess of love.
There is a saying in French which–when translated–means: The more
things change the more they remain the same. I refer to historical
events beginning in 649 when Cyprus suffered devastating raids from
Muslim armies which continued for three hundred years. Ah. The more
things change…
And then art reared its pretty little head and lyric poets abounded.
And this led to a quaint piece of which I–out of the
goodness of my noble and modest heart–will share with you. Literary
customs back then were born of oral traditions. not the least of
which was a classical form called Tekerleme. These were tongue
twisters. usually children’s rhymes and riddles telling tall tales.
Another word for Tekerleme was called Rigmarole. a common English
word today we all know meaning confused, incoherent, foolish, or
meaningless talk. What I’m guessing is what most of you did not know
was from whence rigmarole came.
I did not forget jewelry. Sometimes the roads we take are long,
circuitous, and even a tad tortuous. These barbaric travels and
customs often serve only to justify our very reason for being. Which
brings us to Le Segue Magnifique as we trek back some 12,000 years or
so to discover evidence of human occupation strewn with tools and
also obsidian–not native to the island–evidencing not only
seafaring travelers. but also probably early jewelers. and may even
obsidian setters. I don’t think they had diamond setters back then.
And then one day. around 3900 B. C. to 2500 B. C. artistic figures
began to make their presence known. And then came ornaments. And soon
goods were exchanged with travelers. And opium was traded for luxury
goods like silver and gold and more. Some of the jewelry dates back
to 2500 B. C. Eventually … as is often the case. Cypriot artisans
began to travel and their metalsmiths often landed as far as Sicily
and Sardinia. Much of the jewelry which was imported was relegated to
the aristocratic elite–have things changed? And then when the elite
kicked the bucket. the stuff went into the tombs with them. Today it
goes to the children.
Which brings us to an utterly gorgeous pair of doodads called earring
or hair spirals. The images will explain the descriptions. They date
back to Cypriot times between the 5th and 4th century B. C. I touched
up the flaws a bit in keeping with the illusion that perception is
often more preferable than reality.
That said. how many of you readers would like to see these earrings.
Hmm. What? Not even one of you? Whoa Nelly. I call for another vote.
Now then. how many of you?.. Ah. Much better…
You know the rest. The visit to the image. also known as the viewing
experience. You know where to go. Home page.
http://www.tyler-adam.com. Scroll down. Left side. [Tidbits]. Click.
And there for your exploratory pleasure will be a picture of a pair
of Cypriot gold hair spiral. or earrings.
And there ya have it. That’s it for this week folks. Catch you all
next week. Benjamin Mark