Really dumb question Pioneer times. - The DIS Discussion Forums

funkychunkymonkey · 10-28-2009, 01:06 AM

I swear I should know this but what kind of jewerly did pioneer women wear? Im dressing up as a pioneer woman (my students are hooked on little house on the parie right now) for halloween friday. I got a pretty athuntic (well as good as I could do with my scrap bag and even the start of a quilt to carry around (or let the kids play with) but I need to figure out the jewerly thing. I would be naked without some sorta jewerly. Were peirced ears popular back then? I feel dumb right now. I have a nice pioneer style rag doll too (she fits in my apron pocket). Help me!! thanks in advance.

lynxstch · 10-28-2009, 05:56 AM

the only jewelry I saw women wear was a brooch, or cameo..I don't think anyone had pierced ears back then, and I don't think I ever saw earrings on anyone (except maybe Mrs Oleson?), I don't remember seeing them with watches, or bracelets or necklaces either..but that's just me...but I have seen every episode at least a zillion times..lol..maybe someone will be along a little later to let you know more
Have fun!

MAKmom · 10-28-2009, 06:03 AM

A locket.

snarlingcoyote · 10-28-2009, 08:05 AM

IRL pioneer women didn't wear much jewelry because of the lives they lead. Slopping pigs, herding cows, planting gardens, tending fires, making bread, scrubbing floors, harvesting crops and other assorted farmwork just aren't suited for it.

Now in their finest get-up, depending on period - I'm guessing you want late Victorian if you're doing Laura Ingalls Wilder, some fairly ornate earrings would be all right, along with a brooch or a necklace, even a bracelet. Victorians loved ornate things, remember.

However, if you're wearing a prairie dress with a sun bonnet or a poke bonnet and it's all very rustic? Hmmm. I'd do it up like it was some poor pioneer woman's Sunday best - iron everything, be very careful - and then add one small piece of jewelry, probably a brooch, maybe some little earrings.

Okay, I did a google on Victorian pioneer jewelry. This looks like what I was thinking of. http://www.recollections.biz/Merchan...y_Code=Jewelry

(Note: Fashion in the latter part of the 19th century is NOT my strong suite. When asked to dress in that period, I invariably go for a Storyville girl, just because I know that with frilly drawers, chemise, a couple of really frilly petticoats, the right boots and a good corset I can get away with it and be period, if not socially, appropriate.)

hrh_disney_queen · 10-28-2009, 08:08 AM

I wouldn't think Pioneer women would have worn any jewelry, except on Sundays.

lovetoscrap · 10-28-2009, 08:25 AM

Yep, a brooch or cameo would have been their finest jewelry. For a watch they would have had a pocket watch--no wrist bands back then. And only the wealthy would have them.

If they were true pioneers -- headed out across the country, then they may have a handmade beaded necklace that they would have gotten from the Native Americans along the way, but I don't think the women would have really worn them -- the kids probably would.

I don't think they wore earrings. They weren't practical and piercing ears would have been dangerous-- unsanitary and high risk of infection.

mtemm · 10-28-2009, 08:29 AM

cameos/broaches for sure, and a really pretty comb in their hair (I remember in the books, didn't almanzo give laura some for christmas).

i feel like ear-bobs were mentioned, too, but guessing if they were they were they were likely not pierced. but not sure.

MsLeFever · 10-28-2009, 08:31 AM

Earrings would have been those screw on types - but not for pioneer women.

Lisa loves Pooh · 10-28-2009, 08:40 AM

Earrings would have been the screw-back (essentially a clip-on), but for a basic prairie look the simple brooch.

A woman with a little more money might have a hair accessory as well (that would be like a piece of jewelry).

Pikester · 10-28-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsLeFever

Earrings would have been those screw on types - but not for pioneer women.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa loves Pooh

Earrings would have been the screw-back (essentially a clip-on), but for a basic prairie look the simple brooch.

A woman with a little more money might have a hair accessory as well (that would be like a piece of jewelry).

My Great Grandmother had some of those.

bookgirl · 10-28-2009, 11:50 AM

A wedding ring, as in plain thin gold/silver band, and maybe a small handmade cross necklace or a locket. I know that cameo broaches were popular, but that would have been a sunday going to church thing.

funkychunkymonkey · 10-28-2009, 01:01 PM

For a watch they would have had a pocket watch-
A excuse to dig out grandmas pocket watch LOL

Native american jewerly? Hot darn time to get out some of the beaded peices I got at the res last year. I also lots of homeade bead jewerly, I teach children LOL. Im totally willing to loose my earings for a day.

snarlingcoyote · 10-29-2009, 12:13 AM

Actually, women had pierced ears pretty much until the first part of this century. It fell out of favor with the invention of screwback earrings (not sure when, I just know it was after 1910 or so. . .) and didn't come back into favor until the 1950's or 1960's, I think.

As for pocket watches. . .hmmm. I think women actually wore pendant watches. Similar size, but made specifically to be worn as an ornament on a long chain around a woman's neck. Wristwatches were 1900 or thereabouts, I think, maybe.

funkychunkymonkey · 10-29-2009, 12:55 AM

humm thanks. I think I do have a pendent necklace wacth thing around here somewere in grandmas jewerly pile.

phorsenuf · 10-29-2009, 07:26 AM

I've been on a Little House on the Prairie tv watching kick lately for some reason. Aside from Mrs Oleson I don't remember seeing any jewelry per se. I've seen some simple beaded things that the kids made for the mom but that's pretty much it. Not much need for it really back then.

OT- why are you incognito?

10-28-2009, 01:06 AM	#1
funkychunkymonkey DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: in the land of Little House Posts: 685	Really dumb question Pioneer times. I swear I should know this but what kind of jewerly did pioneer women wear? Im dressing up as a pioneer woman (my students are hooked on little house on the parie right now) for halloween friday. I got a pretty athuntic (well as good as I could do with my scrap bag and even the start of a quilt to carry around (or let the kids play with) but I need to figure out the jewerly thing. I would be naked without some sorta jewerly. Were peirced ears popular back then? I feel dumb right now. I have a nice pioneer style rag doll too (she fits in my apron pocket). Help me!! thanks in advance. __________________ Me Holly (10) Moe (5) Boo (3) Moeman (3) Angel (3 mon)

10-28-2009, 05:56 AM	#2
lynxstch Love that Figment! Turkey, Clay, and my favorite all time christmas song..all on the same day..it doesn't get any better! Learned the hard way not to store meltables in the oven Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: MD Posts: 2,242	on little house on the prairie the only jewelry I saw women wear was a brooch, or cameo..I don't think anyone had pierced ears back then, and I don't think I ever saw earrings on anyone (except maybe Mrs Oleson?), I don't remember seeing them with watches, or bracelets or necklaces either..but that's just me...but I have seen every episode at least a zillion times..lol..maybe someone will be along a little later to let you know more Have fun! __________________ I've been Dis'witched!

10-28-2009, 06:03 AM	#3
MAKmom Caution thinks all posters are female Nothing is impossible Join Date: May 2001 Location: PA. Posts: 8,359	A locket. __________________

10-28-2009, 08:05 AM	#4
snarlingcoyote I know people who live in really carpy school districts Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,001	IRL pioneer women didn't wear much jewelry because of the lives they lead. Slopping pigs, herding cows, planting gardens, tending fires, making bread, scrubbing floors, harvesting crops and other assorted farmwork just aren't suited for it. Now in their finest get-up, depending on period - I'm guessing you want late Victorian if you're doing Laura Ingalls Wilder, some fairly ornate earrings would be all right, along with a brooch or a necklace, even a bracelet. Victorians loved ornate things, remember. However, if you're wearing a prairie dress with a sun bonnet or a poke bonnet and it's all very rustic? Hmmm. I'd do it up like it was some poor pioneer woman's Sunday best - iron everything, be very careful - and then add one small piece of jewelry, probably a brooch, maybe some little earrings. Okay, I did a google on Victorian pioneer jewelry. This looks like what I was thinking of. http://www.recollections.biz/Merchan...y_Code=Jewelry (Note: Fashion in the latter part of the 19th century is NOT my strong suite. When asked to dress in that period, I invariably go for a Storyville girl, just because I know that with frilly drawers, chemise, a couple of really frilly petticoats, the right boots and a good corset I can get away with it and be period, if not socially, appropriate.) __________________

10-28-2009, 08:08 AM	#5
hrh_disney_queen My DH has the hots for Stacey Momma wuvs her little kitty-kitty, oh yes she does, oh, yes she does I knew what he was before I touched him, just never thought they could MOVE that fast Join Date: May 2004 Location: In my laughing place Posts: 10,757	I wouldn't think Pioneer women would have worn any jewelry, except on Sundays. __________________ .... "Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer

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10-28-2009, 08:25 AM	#6
lovetoscrap Sees tag fairy posts that aren't there Please bring back the Gecko and dump the stupid eyeballs Just a timy bit dixzy Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Pits of DISpair: AKA- NOT WDW Posts: 16,649	Yep, a brooch or cameo would have been their finest jewelry. For a watch they would have had a pocket watch--no wrist bands back then. And only the wealthy would have them. If they were true pioneers -- headed out across the country, then they may have a handmade beaded necklace that they would have gotten from the Native Americans along the way, but I don't think the women would have really worn them -- the kids probably would. I don't think they wore earrings. They weren't practical and piercing ears would have been dangerous-- unsanitary and high risk of infection. __________________ SCRAPbooking, I love to SCRAPbook. Don't worry, you're not the only one that read it wrong! Another quality, content-rich post by LTS Tower of Tower Bus Lifts--the scariest ride in all of WDW! Grand Duchess of Airline Check Ins and UpgradesLady In Waiting of The Cheap Boxed Wine ChamberGrand Princess Royale of Cookieland

10-28-2009, 08:29 AM	#7
mtemm Doubly blessed Ever just have one of those days? I occasionally make a split breast for dh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Eastern MA, USA Posts: 4,983	cameos/broaches for sure, and a really pretty comb in their hair (I remember in the books, didn't almanzo give laura some for christmas). i feel like ear-bobs were mentioned, too, but guessing if they were they were they were likely not pierced. but not sure.

10-28-2009, 08:31 AM	#8
MsLeFever WPASADI II Co-Winner Wants to be the #1 WPASADI! Won't beg for a tag but will rewrite disco songs! Eating chocolate is a good cure for anything and everything! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 3,680	Earrings would have been those screw on types - but not for pioneer women. __________________ Happiest place on earth!?!

10-28-2009, 08:40 AM	#9
Lisa loves Pooh DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida--on the coast SE of Disney Posts: 25,848	Earrings would have been the screw-back (essentially a clip-on), but for a basic prairie look the simple brooch. A woman with a little more money might have a hair accessory as well (that would be like a piece of jewelry).

10-28-2009, 11:50 AM	#11
bookgirl I don't eat onions-they squelch when you bite into them I don't eat raisins-they look like dried up bugs Can we say food issues? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In a OK state Posts: 2,243	A wedding ring, as in plain thin gold/silver band, and maybe a small handmade cross necklace or a locket. I know that cameo broaches were popular, but that would have been a sunday going to church thing. __________________ DL 03/2000 Offsite WDW MK 1/2009 ASMu WDW The Rest of it Delayed but still planning it out.

10-28-2009, 01:01 PM	#12
funkychunkymonkey DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: in the land of Little House Posts: 685	For a watch they would have had a pocket watch- A excuse to dig out grandmas pocket watch LOL Native american jewerly? Hot darn time to get out some of the beaded peices I got at the res last year. I also lots of homeade bead jewerly, I teach children LOL. Im totally willing to loose my earings for a day. __________________ Me Holly (10) Moe (5) Boo (3) Moeman (3) Angel (3 mon)

10-29-2009, 12:13 AM	#13
snarlingcoyote I know people who live in really carpy school districts Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,001	Actually, women had pierced ears pretty much until the first part of this century. It fell out of favor with the invention of screwback earrings (not sure when, I just know it was after 1910 or so. . .) and didn't come back into favor until the 1950's or 1960's, I think. As for pocket watches. . .hmmm. I think women actually wore pendant watches. Similar size, but made specifically to be worn as an ornament on a long chain around a woman's neck. Wristwatches were 1900 or thereabouts, I think, maybe. __________________

10-29-2009, 12:55 AM	#14
funkychunkymonkey DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: in the land of Little House Posts: 685	humm thanks. I think I do have a pendent necklace wacth thing around here somewere in grandmas jewerly pile. __________________ Me Holly (10) Moe (5) Boo (3) Moeman (3) Angel (3 mon)

10-29-2009, 07:26 AM	#15
phorsenuf New Rule: The first person to reply on any thread needs to quote the OP. That way when someone does the delete of nevermind edit we know what was there. Now Repeat after me. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NH and soon Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 12,645	I've been on a Little House on the Prairie tv watching kick lately for some reason. Aside from Mrs Oleson I don't remember seeing any jewelry per se. I've seen some simple beaded things that the kids made for the mom but that's pretty much it. Not much need for it really back then. OT- why are you incognito? __________________ IS TOTALLY DISGUSTED ---------> Parents owe their children two things.......Roots and Wings. God gave us children so we would have roses in December.

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