The Fluted Bead Cross Necklace (J296898) - Dreams of Byzantium

When I gazed upon this necklace, I was transported to another time and place. The poem "Ithaca" came to mind. Although the poem's message is greater than the simple thought of buying beautiful, sense-pleasing luxuries in one's lifetime, several lines of the poem haunted me and suggested the beauty I beheld in this exquisite new addition to the Linea Byzantine jewelry collection. I boldfaced the lines below.

Some of you might remember that "Ithaca" was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's favorite poem. If I recall correctly, Maurice Tempelsman, her last love, read it at her funeral.

This necklace transports you with its beauty. Really, I'm pretty much "wordless" when it comes to describing it.

Ithaca

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca, pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)