[Tidbits] The Dance and Lalique

The Dance and Lalique The origin of the dance was to imitate cosmic
and seasonal processes. Round dances imitated the sun, the moon, and
other heavenly bodies. Other dances symbolized the cycles of the
seasons. And still other dances represented fertility rites … such
as the dance around the Maypole … that tall rising structure
around which women–attached to the Maypole by colored
ribbons–danced in unexplainable ecstasy. What oh what, I wonder …
did that Maypole symbolize?

So … with the marvel of the dance still in our consciousness …
and with lascivious awe still flitting about in our libidos … is
it any wonder that Ren=E9 Lalique–a master jeweler who invaded and
still invades our senses from the time his first creations went on
exhibition in Paris–is it any wonder that he chose the Dance as a
topic for the artistic spawning of one of his productions? Nay
folks. It ain’t no wonder at all.

Dance has pervaded the world of man ever since he made his
appearance. Among the Sufi mystics Whirling Dervishes dance to
attain union with God. The Hindu Dance of Shiva represents the
eternal rhythm of the universe. The dance of his bride … the
blood-smeared Kali … represents the dance of death. And today’s
dance … orgiastic rites which unquestionably and ultimately lead
to a pleasant cup of tea at a neighborhood bistro and an
intellectual talk about world affairs … are no different that than
the dance rites of Bacchus or Dionysus which ended in frenzy and
emotional chaos.

Why oh why then would any jeweler in his right mind avoid making
jewelry that depicts dance. Give a young lady a pendant such as the
one Lalique made … and which you are all soon about to see … and
she will understand with certainty that your intentions are
honorable … and without covert design. Give her a pendant lads …
such as the one you are about to see … and she will surely attach
a ribbon round the Maypole … much as they did in olden times …
and she will dance and whirl around that edifice till she runs out
of ribbon … and finds herself pantingly attached to the structure
that inspired her to dance in the first place.

Now then … there may be some of you out there with arched eyebrows
… wondering if I’m talking about jewelry or something else
entirely. Arch no longer my friends … this is strictly about
jewelry … and naught else. Much like a Rorschach blot … if you
see other things in this writing of Tidbits … it is all in your
minds. Yes. Well. Ahem … that said …

For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that says
Tidbits…and then click on the link that says: Dance … where you
will see a graphic of a gorgeous Lalique pendant with two young
creatures dancing in delightful innocence.

And there ya have it. That’s it for this week folks. Catch you all
next week. Benjamin Mark

TYLER-ADAM CORP.–Jewelry Manufacturers
Tel – 1-800-20-TYLER
E-Mail: webmaster@tyler-adam.com