[Staff Blog] Attracted by the bees. Feel the romance of ancient times / MONAKA Osaka

Have you seen the Apis Collection, an antique coin series currently available in store?

It's not often that you get the chance to see ancient antique coins.
When I picked up an antique coin for the first time, my first impression was, "It's smaller and cuter than I thought!"
The innovative idea of ​​turning this into jewelry is very MONAKA-like and wonderful.



Among them, there is one motif that caught my attention the most.
The motif is a bee, which is also used in the antique coin series and the Apis collection!
Bees are often used as a motif by high-end brands and casual design brands alike.
What on earth does it mean?
This left many question marks as to when and where this was used.





This item, which has just arrived in store, has a bee design on the front and a wheel-like pattern engraved in four sections on the back. It is believed to have been made during the ancient Greek period, between 2,360 and 2,335 years ago, and was likely used in the Ionian city of Ephesus.
There's something romantic about the fact that it has survived for over 2,000 years...
The rounded design that has been created over time also gives it an antique feel.

Bees are considered a symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity, and in the ancient city of Ephesus they were considered sacred insects of the patron goddess Artemis.
Honey, which is still loved by everyone today, was also a valuable sweetener in ancient Greece, and its production symbolized the wealth of a city.
In that sense, it was a very auspicious motif.




The honeybee has been treasured throughout the ages as a symbol of the guardian goddess.
Not only is it a cute motif, but it is also a recommended item as a lucky charm jewelry or an item to boost motivation.

This time we also have loose custom-made jewelry made using actual antique coins, and the Apis collection, which is made using molds of antique coins.
Each piece of jewelry is packed with different qualities and charms, so we hope you will come and see them in person in our store!

Please come and take a look at our store in Osaka, where you can sit back and relax while you make your selection.

Osaka/Uesugi