(17,000–10,000 BC), from the Marsoulas cave,
Marsoulas,
Haute-Garonne,
France The earliest known worked jet object is a 10,000 BC model of a
botfly larva, from Baden-Württemberg, Germany, found among the
Venuses of Petersfels. Jet has been used in Britain since the
Neolithic period It continued in use in Britain through the
Bronze Age where it was used for necklace beads. During the
Iron Age jet went out of fashion until the early 3rd century AD in
Roman Britain. The
end of Roman Britain marked the end of jet's ancient popularity. and some artifacts use more than one jet-like material.
Roman use Whitby jet was a popular material for jewellery in Roman Britain from the 3rd century onward. There is no evidence for Roman jet working in
Whitby itself, The collection of jet at this time was based on
beachcombing rather than
quarrying. Jet pendants were carved cameo style with
Medusa head being a popular theme. Stylistic similarities with jet items found in the Rhineland, and lack of any evidence for local manufacture, suggest that
Eboracum-produced items were exported to that area. One item that has been found around the Rhine but not in Britain are jet bracelets that feature grooves with gold inserts. in the
Yorkshire Museum The Roman period saw its use as a
magical material, frequently used in amulets and pendants because of its supposed protective qualities and ability to deflect the gaze of the
evil eye.
Pliny the Elder suggests that "the kindling of jet drives off snakes and relieves suffocation of the uterus. Its fumes detect attempts to simulate a disabling illness or a state of virginity." It has been referenced by other ancient writers including
Solinus and
Galen.
Viking use Vikings made some use of jet including rings and miniature sculptures of animals with snakes being a prominent theme.
Medieval Medieval jet use appears to have been largely limited to religious items such as crosses and
Rosary beads. During the period there was a belief that water drunk from jet bowls could help with
labour. A 15th century jet bowl held in the
Museum of London may have been designed to allow for this. Jet became a valued costume accessory in the 16th century.
Mary, Queen of Scots, owned jet buttons and clothes embroidered with jet beads.
Elizabeth I bought 1000 "black jet bugle drops" to embroider headdresses in 1587.
Anne of Denmark ordered a gown of "double burret" silk in June 1597 loaded with jet
passementerie and 360 jet buttons. The gown was too heavy to wear and she ordered it to be remade with less jet.
Victorian use : jet
brooch, 19th century Jet as a gemstone became fashionable as
mourning jewellery during the reign of
Queen Victoria. Later the Queen wore Whitby jet as part of her
mourning dress while mourning the death of
Prince Albert. In some jewellery designs of the period jet was combined with
cut steel. Jet use was at its highest in the early 1870s and from there it declined.
20th century In Whitby the Victorian tradition continued up until the aftermath of World War II. In the '80s there was a fashion for jet beads and antique jet jewellery started to rise in value. ==Jet substitutes==