In front of the display cabinet of the Egyptian Pavilion in the Louvre, the 14th century BC Tutankhamun golden mask always stops visitors for a long time. The lapis lazuli and glass beads inlaid on the mask still shine against the backdrop of pure gold, as if telling the human obsession with golden jewelry across thousands of years. Golden jewelry is never a simple decoration, but a time container that carries the memory of civilization.
The ancient Egyptians regarded gold as the "skin of the sun god". The gold necklace unearthed from the Pharaoh's tomb used precision filigree craft to pull the gold into gold threads as thin as hair, and then weave it into the Horus Eye pattern that symbolizes life. This worship of gold was later introduced to Greece with Alexander's expedition to the east. Greek craftsmen also incorporated natural elements such as olive branches and bay leaves into gold to create light and lively gold jewelry, becoming a representative of classical aesthetics.
In China, the development of golden jewelry has always been closely linked to the ritual system. The golden jade robes of the Han Dynasty were connected by nearly 2,000 grams of gold wire, which were only used by nobles above the princes and kings; the filament inlaying process of the Ming Dynasty pushed gold skills to its peak. The golden crown of Emperor Wanli collected by the Palace Museum was woven with only 0.1 mm of gold wire. The "two dragons playing with pearls" pattern on the crown is lifelike, and it is still a craft miracle that cannot be reproduced yet.
Today, designers draw inspiration from ancient civilizations to rejuvenate golden jewelry. The "Ancient Egyptian Series" gold jewelry launched by the Italian brand Bulgari replicates the geometric patterns on the Tutankhama mask; Chinese designers combine traditional "engraved" craftsmanship with modern minimalist style to create an ancient gold bracelet suitable for daily wear. When we wear these gold jewelry, we are not only decorating ourselves, but also having a conversation across time and space with craftsmen from thousands of years ago.
The charm of golden jewelry lies in its ability to transform the thickness of civilization into warmth within reach. A golden ring that has been passed down for three generations is engraved with the marks of different eras; a gold necklace that combines multiple civilization elements has become a witness to cultural exchanges. These shining gold jewelry have long surpassed matter itself and become the code of civilization connecting the past, present and future.
