The Fashion of Protection

Niet meer weg te denken uit het straatbeeld en misschien wel het meest hotte mode-item van 2020: het mondkapje. Heb jij er al één? Deze zomer verandert de Lichthal in het Tropenmuseum in een maakplaats voor mondkapjes. Gedurende de zomer van 2020 kun je dagelijks aanschuiven om er zelfstandig een te maken of een masterclass te volgen. Zie ook link: https://www.tropenmuseum.nl/nl/zien-en-doen/activiteiten/maak-plaats-voo...

"It is likely that from an early date it was worn as a protection from the dangers of life or as a mark of status or rank. (...) The jewellery worn in medieval Europe reflected an intensely hierarchical and status-conscious society. Royalty and the nobility wore gold, silver and precious gems. Lower ranks of society wore base metals, such as copper or pewter. Colour (provided by precious gems and enamel) and protective power were highly valued. Some jewels have cryptic or magical inscriptions, believed to protect the wearer."

"The shirt is made primarily of steel rings with an in inscription interwoven in brass and copper rings. It includes the "Prayer to Ali," which was often used in times of danger. The shirt is therefore designed to provide spiritual as well as physical protection."

"This type of glove, made of substantial leather with the hand and wrist gauntlet in one piece, may have been worn for practical protection by a person of means, despite the presence of silk and metallic thread embroidery, which to the modern eye would render the gloves impractical. Unlike other gloves of the time, which have separately constructed and highly decorated gauntlets that appear far too fragile to wear, this pair would have been relatively functional."

"[In Renaissance jewellery] particular types of stone were thought to protect against specific ailments or threats, ranging from toothache to the evil eye. They could also encourage or banish such characteristics as bravery or melancholy. This scorpion etching dates from the 2nd or 1st century BC but has been reused in a medieval ring. (...) The scorpion had an enduring reputation as a protective amulet. It was believed to heal patients from poisoning and also, as symbol of the Zodiac sign Scorpio, it was associated with water and therefore believed to have a cooling effect on fever.

"A mask that covers the entire face, known as a sōmen, is a dramatic feature of Japanese armor of the Edo period. Various types of simpler armored masks, usually protecting only part of the face, had been developed for practical use during the more violent Muromachi period (1333–1573). Masks embossed with human features are thought to have been made as early as the fifteenth century. However, during the Edo period armorers gave free rein to their imaginations..."

"Phallic emblems are found on a wide range of Roman objects, from amulets to frescoes to mosaics to lamps. They were symbols intended to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. As the ancient author Pliny attests, even babies and soldiers wore such charms to invite divine protection."