When you think of luxury jewellery, gold, and gemstones, I highly doubt that you also think of...frogs, understandably. However, these small green amphibians, have a long history and relationship with humans. As such, the image of them is sprinkled throughout human culture all around the world. Frogs have made their way into our literature, our art, and even our jewellery. Today, we're going to dive into the history of frog jewellery, and perhaps inspire you to invest in your own little piece of cultural history.
Symbolism of Frogs Throughout History
When looking back on history, frogs crop up as having symbolic meaning throughout the world and at different points in time. In Native America, frogs represented wisdom and wealth. In Chinese culture, the frog spirit Ch'ing-Wa Sheng is associated with good luck in business. The ancient Egyptians believed in the frog-goddess Heqet, and in classical antiquity, frogs were associated with Aphrodite.
However, for the most part, humans tend to associate frogs with water sources. For example, in Ancient Mexico, the Aztec people associated frogs with rain and water. These associations lend themselves well to the idea of rejuvenation, life, and fertility - a common theme throughout frog-based mythology. It is also believed that the Aztec people interpreted frogs' crouching position, as similar to women during labor and childbirth.
This association of frogs with fertility is one of the most prominent throughout the ancient Americas. Because of this, frogs are quite a common motif throughout the different civilisations. We see frogs in the Coclé, Moche, and Chiriquí cultures. The Met Museum in New York has a fantastic collection of ancient jewellery and quite a few pieces include frogs!
Frog Jewellery at Auction
We regularly see frog-themed jewellery come through our auctions. Today these pieces are mostly novelties, they lack the same symbolic quality as the ancient pieces. However, they still are charming additions to any jewellery collection and a sweet nod to humanity's long and complex relationship with these four-legged amphibians.
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