In the shadow of tony Sigulda, Latvia’s “New Castle” (1878) are various outbuildings that have been repurposed to host all kinds of arts workshops. There have been writers’, handmade paper, textile, leather hands-on workshops. One of the shops that sells retail items as well as holding classes is a truly interesting jewelry workshop: Baltu Rotas. I was happy to be hosted to experience it!
Their whole focus is on preserving the ancient symbols and talismans of the ancient tribes of what is now Latvia. We in the US are unfamiliar with their individual symbols, peoples and tribes, but they’re proud of them. Just as Navajo tribes, Celts, Viking, Caribbean natives have their own jewelry styles with deep meaning, so do tribal descendants in Latvia. I’m told that each do not have a specific physical look after centuries of intermarriage, but certain towns, suburbs are known to have been the base for individual tribes, like the Livs. I talked to people who knew and were proud of their heritage.
Baltu Rotas makes jewelry and helps you make jewelry using the ancient symbols. Most of their items are in silver, with the high price of gold these days, but individuals can make special arrangements.
The business has a couple of generations of family operating it, which of course adds to the Latvian pride. I understand that the shop is a popular place for wedding parties to make their rings filled with tradition and handicraft.
Latvia was the last part of Europe that joined Christendom after invasion by Teutonic knights and Crusaders in the early 1200’s. Though Latvia has stunning Gothic churches both Catholic and Protestant, they hold onto their heritage, too. Latvians’ favorite holiday is Summer Solstice! I hear it’s a national party and it sounds like like that is definitely a great time to visit. Accordingly, sun shapes are a popular and very old jewelry design.
“Namejs” is a unique twisted tri-strand design “which represents Latvian independence, friendship, and trust, and symbolizes the unity of three ancient Latvian lands – Kurzeme, Latgale, and Vidzeme,” according to Wiki. It dates from the 12th century. This is the design I chose to make a silver and leather braid bracelet.
I had no idea — jewelry making is physically hard work! I had to tightly twist silver with winches. They did the soldering with seriously hot fire. I love the results and haven’t taken the bracelet off.
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