Postby dognose » Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:14 am
The Rio shops cannot be considered equal to those of Paris or London, and are on the whole less handsomely stocked than those of Buenos Aires. Severe customs duties account largely for this, imported commodities being very dear, and national protected articles rising to meet them in price. On the whole the shops are good and gay in the central portion. The jewellery shops are legion, and must be more numerous than in most capitals. The first reason for this is the natural wealth of Brazil in precious stones, and then the native masculine and feminine love of jewellery. Devotion to a Brazilian wife, I have been assured, with a sigh, by devoted husbands, is partly expressible, or even largely so, in diamond rings, ruby pendants, or pearl necklaces. This custom is very marked, and differs oddly from the social restraints which Brazilians still place upon their women-kind. It sometimes displays its hard- ship in poor furniture at home and poor food, so that the poor lady may pay dearly for her trinkets in comfort, besides impoverishing and disgruntling her lord. So pre- valent is this national love of jewellery that many husbands of position will not allow their wives to go into the street or ball-room fully gloved, and I believe borrowing rings and necklaces for a gala evening is not uncommon. The lawyer, the doctor, and the civil engineer also wear a distinguishing jewelled ring on the first finger, although this practice is no longer so general as it was. Thus it comes that the stranger will be straightway impressed with the great display of jewellers' windows. You will observe also as you walk up the Rua Ouvidor a handsomely stocked shop bearing the world-famous legend " Mappin and Webb." The directors of Messrs. Mappin and Webb, unlike too many great British retailers, have discovered the modernity of Rio de Janeiro, and have opened a flourishing branch here and another in Sao Paulo. No doubt in time such houses as Maples', Harrod's Stores and others will pay Messrs. Mappin and Webb the flattery of imitation, and will discover Brazil.
Source: The Beautiful Rio de Janeiro - Alured Gray Bell - 1914
Trev.
