Between Wars

The years between WWI and WWII were difficult for all Europe and the US, as well, almost as though one war had not truly ended before the next began. A whole generation of young men, those who had survived trench warfare, mustard gas, artillery, and hand combat, came home wounded in body, mind, and spirit. In France they were the "blesse de guerre," in the US, we sang "Buddy Can You Spare a Dime," in Germany, the Weimar Republic experienced hyperinflation and cultural decadence, culminating with the rise of Adolph Hitler.

This bracelet is made of old, antique, and vintage parts from that time -- a huge British penny with the image of King George, the reluctant king who took the throne abdicated by Prince Edward, his brother, in favor of Wallis Simpson. The main link came to me from Alchemyshop, of Etsy, as a bracelet link, beautifully patinaed to the color of khaki, with a distinctly martial air. To this I have added a segment of gorgeous three-sided chain, also from Latvia, a huge, natural crystal of garnet, very rough with matrix visible, and finished it with a steel clasp. It is 8 inches long.

Different millennium, same old stuff. Those who cannot remember history are condemned to repeat it.