Let me tell you a little history of northern Portugal, so that you understand why I asked our friend Mops for these earrings. You may then understand why they are big ... Of course, today these costumes are used only in processions. The majority of parts are kept in museums. This is the story:
Red and blue costume was worn by unmarried girls, after marriage went to use only blue. The Wedding dress was not white but black. Several years ago, when an engagement was announced, and never before to get rid of humiliation or chatter, if the marriage fall apart, the bride drove to the city "get gold", accompanied by her future in-laws. The future in-laws offered the daughter a big quantity of gold, corresponding to their economic possibilities. On the first Sunday after this ritual, the bride went to church, showing the gold offered. At this stage she could not wear red robes. What explains the huge amount of gold that women wore, was that the in-laws wanted to show everyone that they were financially powerful. Look at these pictures, you still think the design made by Mops is big? I do not think so :) I think the design that Mops has made will be a success and will remember the old days. We must only give a new look to the piece, that can be done by use black or bordeaux instead of gold. Hope you all like the story...Hugs Anabela
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Thank you for all this information. Traditions and customs make a culture. To know a culture is to appreciate a culture. Thank you again for en-lighting us all.
19439Wow, thank you for the story and the explaination of the customs, I agree with mariejooste, your inlaws knew you were far more valuable than any amout of gold.
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17718if the marriage should break up what happens to the gold?
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by anabela
17 Jul 2012
I really don´t know because I´m not from northern Portugal. But I´m sure you can find something about in Google
67271Wow!! Now I understand what some cultures wear all their jewelry at once. Do the in laws do this for each new bride , or only the first born? My Mom lived in Rugby, Tennessee briefly, many years ago. It was a small community established by second sons from the UK. Seems as though the majority of the estate goes to the first born son instead of being divided equally among all the children.
85867Thank you for sharing your history with us, it is very interesting. What I find amusing is wearing black when you get married instead of white. But traditions cannot be messed with !!! Thank you again.
Lois W.
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1494Thank you for sharing this history it is very interesting. I love all the gold jewelery it is so beautiful. Hugs joyce
15141Joke of the Day: here we see how women are valuable, do not understand why they did not offer me gold
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7428Thank you for this history lesson. Love to hear about traditions all over the world.
This gives a new meaning to "Going fo the Gold" LOL
10852So interesting - many thanks for telling me all of this, I knew none of it !
27028beautifull
projects.cuteembroidery.com
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20463Very interesting tradition.... so much gold to wear !!
It would be a real case of the 'haves' & 'have-nots' wouldn't it.
10333Lovely pics!
Imagine the pressure on the In-laws to provide such wealth.
7875Such lovely jewelry - looks like a locket in the second photo. Such a great story as well.
1136We are surrounded by "ornaments" and other items that we have no idea from where it originated. Thank you for sharing your story. I find it fascinating!
I do have a questions. If you wear black for weddings, what colors are associated with funerals? This is all very interesting.
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by anabela
17 Jul 2012
They were black also, the black for wedding dresses has to do with the influences at the end of the Renaissance, Baroque elegance was determined by the Catholic Court of Spain.
by anabela
17 Jul 2012
The Court of Spain established black as the correct color to be used in public as a religious statement of the people.
by anabela
17 Jul 2012
so was black also for wedding dresses. At this time, Spain had a huge influence in Portugal which led to marked also our traditions. Black was and is untill now a signal to the welfare state. Have you ever thought why to this day there are still parties where the dress is black is obligatorily?
16302Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I found it extremely interesting. ;)
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38558I deal with the reconstruction of historical clothing, it is very important what you are doing and trying to keep alive. Thanks for sharing a part of the history of your land!
Hugs, Sonia
1300Lovely tradition,you could use gold thread on fine gold organza just might give the look,
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by anabela
17 Jul 2012
That is not my idea, I will try to go to the roots of the tradition but I will get to the young people so I must do something about the gold. Young people don´t like to were gold, you know. I will maintain the shape and size but I will do it in classic colors like black, maybe white, bordeaux. we will see. I try it in black and in this color you can see better Mops design, transparency of the piece etc.
by anabela
17 Jul 2012
colors like black, white and burgundy may also. I tried the disigne in black and loved it, the black shows the beautiful shapes and transparency that Mops was abel to design.
73141633Wow, Anabela, those ornaments are huge! It's a lovely tradition. Are they still being worn on feast days?
My daughter lives in Norway and on 17th May, the national day, almost every Norwegian wears the costume of the area they live in or the place they were born. The woman have silver belts, weighing a ton and the costumes are beautifully embroidered by hand. Girls get their bunad, the costume, at confirmation; the silver belt is a wedding present from the husband.
My daughter's neighbour joked that his wife was absolutely forbidden to gain weight around her waist as he could not afford to have a link added to the belt.
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by blueeyedblonde
16 Jul 2012
I'm glad you mention the Norwegian tradition. This also is something I wasn't aware of. I am of Norwegian descent and should take the time to learn of their customs.
Thanks.
145304thanks Anabella for this story. I love this type of reading...
148897Thank you Anabela for enriching our lives with the wonderful traditions of Portugal.
The pictures you have posted here certainly explains this tradition of why Gold is/was an important part of the Prortuguese life.
It is always wonderful to pass on traditions to the younger generations as hard as it may be.
EastWitch2
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743283Those parades must have been stunning. Photographs sure tell the story.
6788thanks for the info. old customs are often forgotten.
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by anabela
16 Jul 2012
Yes, maybe we can remind these traditions to the young people, with the design of Mops (earrings). I hope so...
17727What a great story and the god pieces are stunning - the filigree in these is amazing.
2945Learn something every day. Thank you for sharing. Thank you also to Martine who is always ready to help.
109774Very interesting and thanks for teaching me something new. I love gold can't afford it so I am not a rich in law but love my kids. Even the in law part. Mops design is great I love it. Her heart is priceless in her making. Hugs and *'s
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4641How very interesting! A very nice tradition, especially if the future in-laws were nice, as well as rich! Mops design looks as authentic as could be. Jan
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3763878119Ho wonderful. Great information and beautiful pictures. Thank you. That is my learning thing for the day.
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8767What a nice story, what ashame the pictures have not come through.
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by anabela
16 Jul 2012
my dear neck, imagine if we had to walk with so much weight, even if it were gold
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