Happy to share this press release from the Stamford Historical Society regarding an event taking place this Sunday, April 10th from 2-4pm:

If you are tempted by glass display cases filled with fanciful rings and brooches, you will want to attend the Stamford Historical Society’s next “Cozy Sunday” on April 10^th.  Nagi Osta will discuss Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro Moderne styles during his talk entitled JEWELRY: VICTORIAN to ART DECO. Discover the history of jewelry and how designs and ideas from early civilizations have influenced and contributed to the modern age of this wearable art form.  Mr. Osta will share special period examples with the audience.

This “Cozy Sunday” event will be held at 1508 High Ridge Road in Stamford from 2 – 4 pm.  Tickets are $15 per person by cash or check.  Refreshments are included.  Since seating is limited, please contact the Stamford Historical Society at 203-329-1183 orinfo@stamfordhistory.org to make your reservation.  You can also learn more online at www.stamfordhistory.org.

Your ticket price includes admission to the Historical Society’s current exhibit, How We Say Goodbye: Funerary and Mortuary Practices in Stamford.  It charts what is known of how Stamford treated the dear departed from the time of the first settlement to the present era. The exhibit includes gravestones, mourning dresses, fans, parasols, jewelry made of jet, jewelry using human hair, embalming equipment and many photos.  How We Say Goodbye is generously sponsored by Bosak Funeral Home.

The bulk of the material of the exhibit dates to the 19^th century, and especially to the later Victorian era. It was during this time that the cult of death spread across the United States from England. Large amounts of money were devoted to procuring fashionable mourning dresses and gowns with a host of accessories including fans, parasols and jewelry. It had been the practice even in the Colonial era to have locks of hair enclosed in lockets or rings to be kept and worn by the living as keepsakes in memory of their deceased kin. During the Victorian era, this practice continued and jewelry was also made from human hair. Women bore the brunt of the cult of death and many spent from months to years in funeral garb. The colors varied based on how long the women had been in mourning, starting with black and graduating to shades of purple, dark blue and brown.

Alongside the clothing, death inspired many decorative arts. In addition to the gravestones themselves, which in Colonial Times bore winged skulls, hourglasses and bones and later depicted a Neoclassical Willow/Urn pattern, embroidered and watercolor pieces were executed showing the grave and people in mourning. Such patterns could even be found on china tea sets specially created in memory of the deceased.

Nagi Osta is a long time jewelry professional and owner of Nagi Jewelers on High Ridge Road in Stamford, having started his business in 1980 and now extended to a second generation.  He is both a G.G.A. and CGA, and his favorite place is on the sales floor with his customers. Nagi and his team celebrate the beauty of jewelry both old and new in his showroom.  They take pride in educating and guiding each customer in all of their products, including diamonds, exquisite gemstones, antique, estate, new and custom made jewelry, design services, expert jewelry and watch repair and restoration, insurance replacement and appraisals of all types.

The Stamford Historical Society, located at 1508 High Ridge Road, is an educational and research institution whose primary functions are to collect, preserve, conserve, interpret, and exhibit materials relating to Stamford, Connecticut and the surrounding area.  As the City of Stamford’s history center, the Society is dedicated to providing opportunities for the community to understand and experience the past through the presentation of exhibits and displays, lectures, demonstrations, special events and participatory programs. For more information, call us at 203-329-1183 or visit our website at www.stamfordhistory.org.

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