In the world of historical recreation, we’ve long been told that facets are not appropriate. While true for rings, I am pleased to say that simple facets are indeed quite period on items such as beads and even creating a flat table for intaglio (which, yes, is a facet).
I’d like to show you this:
This piece is from the the Swedish Museum, and is dated to the 10th-11th century at Birka. I love this piece, because it shows that multiple (but simple!) facets exist. The cylindrical carnelian and the double bicone quartz makes for a classy, simple necklace – one that you might even find being worn by someone in an office situation!
So, lucky me, I got to make a similar piece for my queen!
I did have to make a couple of concessions. One, I had found what I call faceted rectangular beads. In the example below, there’s a carnelian bead that looks like a cube with the corners lopped off, which is similar to the carnelian I used, except it’s a bit more rectangular.
Secondly, the quartz I was given to work with was a bit more faceted, however, just as pretty, and gives the intended look.
The other concessions I made were in construction. One, the necklace was strung on tiger tail using crimp beads, and uses a clasp for ease of wear. That being said, the clasp was handmade, and looks similar to some Roman clasps, and was made to the length that Her Majesty Calontir requested.
Here’s a photo of Her Majesty wearing it!
This is a piece that can be made easily in an afternoon, using many of the techniques that I’ve detailed elsewhere in the blog, and is flattering to many people and is wonderful for Norse reenactors.
While it doesn’t have the same rhythm as the extant piece, I feel it’s a close enough call.
Many many thanks to Her Majesty Ylva of Calontir for the inspiration and the encouragement!
konstantia kaloethina 