iclothing

A pair of gold plated brass Mandragora earrings, they are hand carved and light enough to be comfortably worn. If you like mandrake jewelry, I offer a pendant as well. (I also offer silver plated brass version of these earrings). Earrings come with silver earring-backs. The part that goes into the earlobe is silver. ~ 2.5″ (6.5 cm) x 1.18″ (3 cm). The mandrake has a long history in the realm of witchcraft. Not only did the common people and royalty use it, but so did a plethora of accused witches during the Dark Ages up through the Early Modern Period in various countries throughout Europe. While the mandrake grew naturally in the Mediterranean region, the distribution of it spread in Europe over time. It became an essential ingredient in the infamous witch's flying ointment, according to ancient grimoires. It was thought to be a powerful hallucinogen, but also a powerful aphrodisiac (this relates to the use of it in biblical times to help a woman conceive). But its powers are not only mythical: a member of the nightshade plant family {the Solanaceae family, which also contains tomatoes, aubergines, deadly nightshade and henbane - they are commonly called the Nightshades.}, mandrake contains hallucinogenic and narcotic alkaloids. It is known that mandrake root was used as an anesthetic in ancient Greek and Rome. The mandrake was also called the Drug of Circe, Goddess of magic. Skilled in herbalism, particularly poisonous herbs like the mandrake, she employed toxins in her practice to gain control over men, turning them into animal-like creatures. The mandrake was seen during Medieval times as a sort of anthropomorphic (looking human-like) plant. Witches were accused of having mandrake roots and keeping them as familiar spirits, as documented in Witch Trial cases. Mandragora was one of the ingredients of the magic ointment potion bestowing the power of flight to witches, along with, monkshood, deadly nightshade and other toxic plants. Reinforced by the medieval doctrine of signatures, which claimed that plants that resembled certain body parts could be used to treat ailments of those body parts, the mandrake was believed to exercise control over the body: it could induce love or conception, or bring good fortune, wealth and power. Legends swirled in the Middle Ages that the plant did not reproduce through normal means, but instead sprung up on ground where either semen or blood had been spilt, particularly, underneath gallows. Crossroads were too known to be popular places for the gathering of herbs for a witches brew. Mandrake was not only consumed but worn as talismans, good luck charms. Joan of Arc was also accused of carrying a mandrake figurine. It is believed that King Solomon wore a mandrake root seal which enabled him to gain sovereignty over souls. The practice of using a dog as a proxy for extracting the plant (in order to avoid the deadly scream emitted by the mandrake when it was pulled out of the ground, popularized by Harry Potter fantasy novels and films) is found in ancient alchemy texts and engravings. Some claimed that the legend of the screaming mandrake was invented by witches to stop ordinary folk from picking their precious plant. The powers of the mandrake seem to be limitless such as making a person invisible, healing domestic animals, changing the weather, guiding a person to hidden treasure, transmitting diseases and allowing its owner to tell fortunes. Mandrakes could also protect a family as well as individuals. Sprinkled with blessed water and salt mandrakes were buried near the front door to protect the households from intruders and evil spirits. Jewelry Care and Points to Consider -Remove your jewelry while swimming, salty water or the chemicals of a pool would damage them. -Remove your rings while you are washing dishes or cleaning something using cleansers other than soap. -Keep your jewelry in a zip bag, (preferably wrapped in a cloth or a paper napkin within a zip bag) while you are not wearing them. To place a jewelry in open air or in a drawer without covering it will accelerate the darkening. -Silver and brass do gain patina with time. Sweat, creams etc. accelerate it. The lasting of the polish on the jewelry piece depends on your skin type and whether or not you pay attention to aforementioned tips. With time your jewelry will gain a nice patina, but paying attention to these tips will slow the process and make the patina nicer. -Some of my jewelry contain pointy parts, not all jewelry are for daily wear, some of them are fine art pieces. Please be careful when wearing this kind of jewelry while taking care of children or pets.