A pectoral (from the Latin pectoralis megacoliera, “mega-necklace relating to the chest”) is an ornament of clothing or body – most often a jewel – worn on the thorax.
Of variable size, it can be in the form of a simple pattern suspended at the level of the sternum, like reaching the dimensions of a breastplate. It is made of precious metal, fabric, bone or any other material.
This object appears from the highest antiquity, in ancient Egypt as among the Hebrews. It is also found in many civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, Asia, North and South pre-Columbian America, and among the first peoples. It originates from a need for magical protection.
Since the end of the 19th century, stripped of all occult or religious significance, the pectoral has been rediscovered by modern jewelry, which sometimes makes spectacular use of it.
Origin of the pectoral
The original function of the pectoral is to ensure the magical protection of the wearer. It is placed on an exposed region of the human body that houses the heart and lungs, organs that perform two vital functions. According to many civilizations, it is the seat of the soul and the original breath. The pectoral thus ensures, in the first place, a role of defense and of “magical breastplate”.
To this first function, it adds a second which is to favor its wearer by attracting divine benevolence. He is thus responsible for symbolic signs, amulets, magic stones or messages intended to encourage listening to the supernatural power invoked. Therefore, depending on the degree of refinement of civilizations (and the raw materials they have), the object can take on the appearance of a precious jewel.
A third function can be assigned to this ornament, outside of any religious or magical mission: that of indicating the social position of its holder. Thus, in imperial China, the pectoral is an integral part of the ceremonial costume. Its design distinguishes the rank of the wearer.
The last function, purely decorative, appears in contemporary times. Its location on the chest ensuring great visibility, the pectoral becomes a theatrical clothing ornament.
History
Ancient Egypt
The model of the Egyptian pectoral comes in two forms. It can appear as a rigid or articulated necklace, suspended by a chain around the neck and descending to mid-chest, or even covering it. It can also take on the appearance of a large brooch fixed by a pin at the level of the neck or the sternum.
Semitic and Hebrew Near East
Many sources show the use of the pectoral in the ancient Near East. In particular the Assyrian treasure of Ziwiyé (seventh century BC), in present-day Iranian Kurdistan, which reveals a breastplate "decorated with animals and fabulous beings heading [...] towards a tree of central life. Another example, in a bas-relief figuration, the Assyrian king Shamash-Adad VII wears a pectoral in the shape of a Maltese cross.
The Hebrews are probably influenced by the Assyrian model. The high priest of Israel wears in particular a pectoral of precious fabric, embroidered and adorned with four rows of three stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel: the sardine (for the tribe of Ruben), the topaz (Gad), the emerald (Aser), carbuncle (Zabulun), sapphire (Judah), diamond (Naphtali), agate (Dan), hyacinth (Issachar), amethyst (Levi), chrysolite (Benjamin) , carnelian (Simeon) and jasper (Yossef).
Southern Europe
In the High Middle Ages, the pectoral is described among the Lombards under the term "nuska". It is usually accompanied by metal bracelets, which makes it a complete set. The term passes in old French in the form nosque, noshce or even nusce which translates as "necklace", "necklace pendant".
Of variable size, it can be in the form of a simple pattern suspended at the level of the sternum, like reaching the dimensions of a breastplate. It is made of precious metal, fabric, bone or any other material.
This object appears from the highest antiquity, in ancient Egypt as among the Hebrews. It is also found in many civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, Asia, North and South pre-Columbian America, and among the first peoples. It originates from a need for magical protection.
Since the end of the 19th century, stripped of all occult or religious significance, the pectoral has been rediscovered by modern jewelry, which sometimes makes spectacular use of it.
Origin of the pectoral
The original function of the pectoral is to ensure the magical protection of the wearer. It is placed on an exposed region of the human body that houses the heart and lungs, organs that perform two vital functions. According to many civilizations, it is the seat of the soul and the original breath. The pectoral thus ensures, in the first place, a role of defense and of “magical breastplate”.
To this first function, it adds a second which is to favor its wearer by attracting divine benevolence. He is thus responsible for symbolic signs, amulets, magic stones or messages intended to encourage listening to the supernatural power invoked. Therefore, depending on the degree of refinement of civilizations (and the raw materials they have), the object can take on the appearance of a precious jewel.
A third function can be assigned to this ornament, outside of any religious or magical mission: that of indicating the social position of its holder. Thus, in imperial China, the pectoral is an integral part of the ceremonial costume. Its design distinguishes the rank of the wearer.
The last function, purely decorative, appears in contemporary times. Its location on the chest ensuring great visibility, the pectoral becomes a theatrical clothing ornament.
History
Ancient Egypt
The model of the Egyptian pectoral comes in two forms. It can appear as a rigid or articulated necklace, suspended by a chain around the neck and descending to mid-chest, or even covering it. It can also take on the appearance of a large brooch fixed by a pin at the level of the neck or the sternum.
Semitic and Hebrew Near East
Many sources show the use of the pectoral in the ancient Near East. In particular the Assyrian treasure of Ziwiyé (seventh century BC), in present-day Iranian Kurdistan, which reveals a breastplate "decorated with animals and fabulous beings heading [...] towards a tree of central life. Another example, in a bas-relief figuration, the Assyrian king Shamash-Adad VII wears a pectoral in the shape of a Maltese cross.
The Hebrews are probably influenced by the Assyrian model. The high priest of Israel wears in particular a pectoral of precious fabric, embroidered and adorned with four rows of three stones symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel: the sardine (for the tribe of Ruben), the topaz (Gad), the emerald (Aser), carbuncle (Zabulun), sapphire (Judah), diamond (Naphtali), agate (Dan), hyacinth (Issachar), amethyst (Levi), chrysolite (Benjamin) , carnelian (Simeon) and jasper (Yossef).
Southern Europe
In the High Middle Ages, the pectoral is described among the Lombards under the term "nuska". It is usually accompanied by metal bracelets, which makes it a complete set. The term passes in old French in the form nosque, noshce or even nusce which translates as "necklace", "necklace pendant".
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