Mardi Gras and Costume Jewelry

Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras is always the first Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This year, it is on February 28th. It marks the last day of carnival season and the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras is celebrated with the color combination of purple, green and yellow. The collectible doubloons to the left date to the 1990s.  In honor of Mardi Gras, here are a few more collectible pieces.

From the Collection of Carolyn Davis

   
Small Chalk Pin

   
Puffy Heart Charms "Red Robin Antiques" on Ruby Lane

Mardi Gras masks were originally used as a way to get rid of social constraints for the day, allowing people to mingle with whomever they chose. Today, they are just fun to wear.

Unsigned Pin

Enamel and Copper Pin by Matisse Renoir

Silver Mask Charm

Krewes are the organizations that sponsor parades and balls.They are also responsible for selecting carnival royalty in New Orleans, such as ‘Rex’, the king of Mardi Gras. There are close to 100 active krewes in New Orleans with membership dues ranging from $20 to thousands of dollars annually. This next group of photos offers a variety of jewelry given by Krewes at annual balls as well as examples of parade / float give-aways.

   
Silver Pin from the Krewe of Cynthius, courtesy of "The More the Merrier," a Ruby Lane Shop

   
Large, gold tone letter opener from Mardi Gras 1910. It was a Rex Krewe favor or give-away and is 10" long.

The following photos are all from the Collection of Chris Pantry.

Sterling Silver Bracelet from the KoM Krewe, 1932

Krewe of Carrollton, 1953, Set made by Barclay

   

Krewe of Muses, an All-Female Krewe, 2009

   
Sterling Silver Stick Pin from KoP Krewe, 1979 and White Metal Jabot Pin from Krewe of Eros, 1939

KoH Krewe, 1959

Crystal Flower by Alice Caviness from the Krewe of Omardz, 1963

Krewe KoP, 1976

From Krewe of Bards, 1956

Assembled Charm Bracelet: Pegasus 1958; Taj Mahal 1959; Scepter 1960; Cannon 1961; Jester 1962

Mask Stick Pin from KoS, 1981; Drum Stick Pin from KO, 1985

Parade Giveaway Battery Operated Flashing Light Earrings, Orpheus Krewe, circa 1993s, the Year the Krewe was Formed by Harry Connick Jr. & Sr. 

THANK YOU to Carolyn Davis, Robin Allison, Merry Shugart, and Chris Pantry for the use of their photos.

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

For a good time, please visit World of Eccentricity & Charm. Just click here.