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Old Indian silver bracelet from Rajasthan. This type of bracelet is also used as anklets in India. The silver content is very good, at least 900/1000. It is made with a thick layer of silver, which makes this bracelet heavier (267 gr) than other similar examples (usually around 70-100 gr). The work on the clasp area is delicate and finely made. From the XIXth Century. It is in very good condition, and it has a very nice worn patina. Women in Rajasthan wear a variety of anklets on both legs, that can be solid or flexible. A newly married girl wears a number of different bands extending to the rim of the skirt. There is a set pattern that follows in the order in which these bands are worn. Right on the ankle rest the flexible anklet, and all the others above it. Check the post about Indian anklets here in my blog for more information. The inner diameter is 72 mm. Inner round perimeter 23 cm It can be easily fastened with a pin. It weighs 267 gr. IND1169
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Unusual matching pair of old silver bracelets, from Rajasthan, in India. High-grade silver. Etched decoration with dots and fish. From mid 20th century. In Rajasthan, women wear bracelets always in pairs, one on each arm. Dimensions: The inner diameter is approx. 65 mm The back opening is 40 mm wide Thickness: 17 mm Weight (both): 257 gr IND1330
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Silver tribal guard bangle with silver spheres perimeters. These sort of tribal bracelets are worn by Dangee and Patel tribal people of Rajasthan, sometimes on the wrist or just above the elbow. One quarter-hinged part can be opened by a central pin. Very good silver content, with a great patina. From 1st to half 20th Century. Dimensions: Total diameter: 11,5 cm Inner diameter: 6,7 cm Width: 1,3 cm It weighs 110,7 gr. Literature: ” Traditional jewelry of India” by Oppi Untractht.
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Old silver Tribal bangle from Rajasthan. Made of High-grade silver, and hollow inside. One quarter-hinged part can be opened by central pin. The clasp ends up in a lotus flower which is, according to the Indian tradition, a symbol of spiritual fulfilment. From the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: Inner perimeter: 18 cm round Inner diameter is 6 cm It weighs 151 gr. IND1027
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Old silver pendant necklace, used as a lingam casket box. These pendants were designed as containers to hold a sacred lingam stone representing the god Shiva. The upper part is topped by horns, symbolizing Nandi, Shiva's bull mount. From early 20th century. High grade silver. Lingayats are a Hindu group who believe that Shiva is the only deity, rather than the 3 gods revered by other Hindus. They also believed that the sacred presence of Shiva was not simply confined to the temple, but that it could be held in these pendants for a personal connection to the god. Provenance: French private collection Length of the chain: 88 cm Size of the lingam casket: 7 x 10,5 x 3,5 cm It weighs 219,6 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post about silver lingam caskets here Literature: “Silver from fetish to fashion”, Nadler, Daniel and Serga, pdn publishing, 2005, 199 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 236 “Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009, p. 317 “Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The pepin Press, 2002, p. 140 “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997, p. 135 IND1689
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Extraordinary “Mansouri” necklace from Yemen. This kind of work is called like this because it was made in the time of the Imam Al-Mansur Ali I (who ruled Yemen between 1775–1809) From the 18th century. In perfect condition. The two conical ends don’t belong to the same necklace. High grade silver. Provenance: Spanish private collection. Dimensions: Length: 66 cm Size of the central hirz (with dangles): 9 x 7,5 cm Literature: “Collectible beads”, Liu, Robert K., Ornament, 1995, p. 131 YEM105
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High grade silver flat plain neck ring, mainly worn by Akha women (Hill tribes, Golden Triangle, SE Asia). These neck ornaments were made by hammering a silver plate until the desired shape was achieved. From early 20th century. Provenance: Italian private collection Dimensions: Size: 19 x 18 cm Inner diameter: 13,5 cm Back opening: 4,5 cm Weight: 194,2 gr Literature: “Peoples of the golden triangle”, Lewin, Paul and Elaine, River Books, Bangkok, 1998, p. 48 “The jewelry of Southeast Asia”, Richter, Anne, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p. 141 “The art of silver jewellery. From the minorities of China, the Golden Triangle, Mongolia and Tibet”, Skira, 2006, p.142-144-5 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 318 SEA492
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Old silver bracelet "bitäwa", worn by male members of the Amhara ethnic group in Ethiopia. Armlets of this kind were presented by the emperor to the most successful warriors. They were worn on the right arm. From the beginning of the 20th century or older. Provenance: European private collection. The bracelet fastens with a long pin. Dimensions: Length: 16,5 gr Inner diameter on one end: 5 cm Inner diameter on the other end: 8 cm Weight: 245 gr EA51
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Silver woman’s Qu’ran holder “muskalik” in a triangular shape, decorated with filigree and a turquoise gemstone, opening lid on top, and coins at the bottom and worn over the shoulder on a long chain. from Syria or Southern Anatolia. Late 19th century,or later 20th. The coins are a later addition to the pendant, which probably had a diferent kind of dangles. Coins are dated 1223 and 1255 of the Islamic calendar, which corresponds to 1801 and 1833. This kind of amulet was an export item made in various smithing centers of the core of the ottoman world (Istanbul, Damascus, Sarajevo…) following a popular trend and fashion from the second half of the 19th century. Material: High grade silver (coins), low grade silver and turquoise. Dimensions: Size of the amulet with coins: 12 x 10 cm Lenght of the chain (approx): 66 cm Literature: “The arts and crafts of Syria”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1992, p. 98 ME225
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Silver woman’s Qu’ran holder in a rectangular shape, decorated with filigree, glass beads and 2 coral beads on the sides. It has an opening lid on top, and coins at the bottom, which are the original dangles of this piece. From Syria, probably from Deir ez Zor. Late 19th century or beginning of the 20th.Coins are dated 1293 of the Islamic calendar, which corresponds to 1871 of our calendar. Some of the small blue glass beads are missing. Material: High grade silver (coins), low grade silver, coral, glass beads. Dimensions: Size of the amulet with coins: 9,5 x 10 cm Lenght of the chain (approx): 80 cm Literature: “The arts and crafts of Syria”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1992, p. 98 ME229
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Tunisian silver amulet. The cylindrical hirz amulet is completed with dangles with khomsas (Fatima's hand) for extra protection. High grade silver. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: European private collection Dimensions: Length of the chain: 64 cm Size of the pendant with dangles: 9 x 7 cm TUN12
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A silver amulet from Libya, in the shape of a cylinder and with vegetal and floral decoration etched and embossed on the surface. Some coral beads and small pendants intensify the amulet's power to ward off the evil eye. These containers usually hold written amulets or Ketiba in the form of verses from the Koran or undecipherable phrases appeasing formulas or spells. They may also hold perfumes. The container opens on one of the sides. High grade silver and coral. From the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: Length of the chain: 64 cm Size of the pendant with dangles: 9 x 11 x 2,5 cm Weight: 118,2 gr Literature: "Libyan jewellery", Schenone Alberini, Elena, Araldo De Luca Editore, 1998, p. 70 "Jewelry and Adornment of Libya", Ghellali, Hala, BLKVLD, 2024, p. 102 TUN11
