Tanel Veenre’s latest series, Lunula, stars are moon-shaped pendants and earrings, available with and without pearls. The collection also includes a selection of silk kaftans and scarves adorned with mystical moon-world prints. Lunula means “little moon” in Latin, perfectly capturing the essence of this new series. These pieces are full of character—magical and playful, yet effortlessly wearable and timeless.
The history of Lunula
Moon-shaped jewellery has twice played a significant role in history as a popular and fashionable form of adornment.
The first instance dates back approximately 2,500 years to Ireland and Western Europe, where large crescent-shaped gold necklaces emerged. Of the nearly 200 known gold lunulae, only a few have been found in burial sites, leading historians to believe they were primarily used as ritual ornaments.
The second resurgence of moon-shaped jewellery occurred in Ancient Rome, where young girls commonly wore them as necklaces. The lunula was believed to act as a protective talisman, especially against the evil eye. Inspired by Roman culture, these moon-shaped pendants spread throughout the Mediterranean region, becoming a widespread symbol of protection and femininity.
A 4,000–4,400-year-old gold lunula discovered in Ireland.
A lunula necklace from Roman territories, dating back to the 1st century.
The meaning of the Moon
The moon holds a special role in magic and symbolism. The waxing and waning moon represents constant change. It symbolises nature, its dark and irrational forces, the cycles of the seasons, and the ever-recurring process of rebirth. When translated to the human world, the moon signifies moral instability, a changing heart, a gullible mind, and our often wavering determination.
In the world of Tarot cards, the moon represents illusion, fear, anxiety, the subconscious, and intuition.
The sun is, of course, the moon’s opposite—direct and contrasting. The moon belongs to the realm of half-tones and twilight, making it a perfect match for Tanel’s world.
"The Moon" a mystical Tarot card
Moon and silk
The moon as a symbol inspired Tanel to create a series of silk products. Tanel describes the birth of his design as follows: “For me, the moon became a nocturnal lighthouse, a mystical and cool celestial body that illuminates the world in the dark. I enjoy watching the shimmering night clouds or the shadows cast by the crystal-clear full moonlight. The night holds a dark drama. With my compositions, I aimed to convey the dark beauty of moonlit nights.”
Maria Solange first stepped in front of Tanel’s camera more than 20 years ago. These captures of a creative reunion with Maria were photographed at Casa Studio
One of the muses for the series became Kuu Elina – a powerful and sensitive independent spirit.
