TSUKERKY (Sweets) — collection of glass necklaces ROOTS. Glass necklaces were common and traditional in Ukraine. Glass necklaces were more affordable and often imitated more expensive materials, such as coral, pearls or garnet. When creating the collection, we relied on both real samples of jewelry and their description from ethnographic sources.
In particular, an idea of the aesthetic qualities of the glass necklace worn by Ukrainian women in the 19th century is provided by the collection of authentic samples collected by Khvedir Vovk during his expeditions at the beginning of the 20th century. The inventory description of each sample emphasizes that it is antique.
“In addition to corals, they also wear a multi-colored glass necklace: white, blue, green, yellow, red, beetroot, cherry, bug, black,” — Vasyl Myloradovych about girls in Lubny, late XIX century.
“The necklace consisted of smooth or faceted beads of small diameter. Green, blue, red, yellow, milk and other colors. They were laid, as a rule, one shape, size and color. The beads shimmered in the light, bringing a festive, joyful mood,” writes Hanna Vrochynska in the book “Ukrainian Women’s Jewelry of the Late 19th – Early 20th Centuries.”
There are jewelry that limit one’s status and dictate one’s behavior, but not these. With “Tsukerky” you can be carefree, playful, light, and sincere. Now, in times of serious challenges, it is so important to remind yourself that life can be bright and all your emotions are normal. To feel joy is natural, to laugh is possible, to fall in love is wonderful. These accessories create a mood, they are light-bearing. The light that you always carry with you. It is beautiful and it gives joy.
