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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. 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. Bibliography: “Traditional Jewelry of India” by Oppi Untracht, page133. This is an original and worn piece, in excellent condition, from the 19th Century. Provenance: Ex- Michael Backman Gallery Length of the chain: 70 cm (27,56 in) Size of pendant: 72 mm wide and 52 mm high. It weighs 151 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1149
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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. 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. You can see similar samples in “Traditional jewelry of India” by Oppi Untracht, page133. This is an original and worn piece, in excellent condition, from the 19th Century. Provenance: Ex- Michael Backman Gallery The size of the pendant is nearly 61 mm wide by 52 mm high. The chain is 70 cm long approx. (27,56 in). Weight: 86 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1153
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Pair of Berber cast silver anklets inspired from the oldest Meknes and Fez types, probably made in Marrakesh or Essaouira. Made of high-grade silver. The green enamel could be a later addition. The ram’s head hallmark indicates it is post 1925, from around mid 20th century. Dimensions: Diameter: 8 cm (3,15 inches) Width (widest point): 5 cm (1,97 inches) Weight: 360 gr. References: “Bijoux du Maroc”, Rabaté, Marie-Rose-Golderberg, André, Editions Eddif, 1999 “Bijoux Berbéres Au Marroc dans la tradition judeo-arab”, Rouach, David, ACR Edition, 1989 MAR62
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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. Lingayats are a Hindu group who believe that Shiva is the only diety, 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. You can see similar samples in “Traditional Jewelry of India” by Oppi Untracht, page133. This is an original and worn piece, in excellent condition, from the 19th Century. Provenance: Ex- Michael Backman Gallery The size of the pendant is nearly 61 mm wide by 51 mm high. The chain is 62 cm long approx. (24,4 in). It weighs 106 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1150
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This is a heavy matching pair of Turkmen bracelets from the Tekke tribe. Good silver content and carnelian gemstones, The silver was etched and fire-gilded. From late 19th Century or beginning 20th. Very good conditions, silver shows an extraordinary patina due to use. The Turkmens are a Turkic people located primarily in the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, northeastern Iran, Syria, Iraq and North Caucasus. The bracelets measure 9 cm long. Inner diameter (bigger): 65 mm Inner diameter (smaller): 62 mm Weight: 455 gr References: “Bracelets ethniques”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002 “Der Turkmenenschmuck”, Rudolph, Hermann, Museum für Völkerkunde, 1984 “Old silver jewellery of the Turkoman”, Schletzer, Dietrich, Reimer Verlag, 1984 ME57
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A gold marriage pendant from South India, worn by women in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The purity of gold is 22 kt. From the 19th century. The size of the pendant is 3,4 x 2,6 cm (1,34 x 1,02 inches) It weighs 4,3 gr. Literature: “When gold Blossons”, Aitken, Molly Emma, Asia Society & Philip Wilson Publishers, 2004 “Traditional Jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 “Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009 For more information about these pendants, check our post about Gold Indian talis IND1453
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Heavy Indian massive silver bracelet from Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, made by the lost wax technique. High-grade silver (tested). From the 1st half of the 20th century or earlier. The heaviest bracelets of these kind were not meant to be worn, but were kept as family wealth. Dimensions: Total size: 8,5 x 9 cm Inner diameter: 4,3 cm Opening gap: 1,5 cm Weight: 285,8 gr Literature: “Bracelets ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002 IND689
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Old silver neck ring called “varlo” from Rajasthan and Gujarat, India made with silver wire wrapped around a thicker wire. Worn by both men and women. Silver has been tested as high-grade. From 1st half of XXth Century. The inner diameter of this neck ring is 16 cm 6,3 in). The inner perimeter is about 50 cm (19,68 in) Weight: 328 gr. References: “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers “Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003 IND1313
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Old Chinese silver earrings, with chains and dangles. Tested as high-grade silver, +800/1000. From the beginning of the 20th Century or earlier. The earrings measure 9 cm long (3,54 in). The gauge of the silver wire that goes through the earlobe hole is 4 mm. Both of them weigh 87 gr. SEA202
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Necklace made of high-grade silver and smoke quartz stone. The piece features finely made filigree and granulation which is very characteristic of pieces from this region. From the second half of the XXth century, probably the 60s’ or 70s’. For more information about Sri Lankan jewelry check our blog post. Dimensions: Length: 48 cm (18,89 inches) Width: 27 mm (1,06 inches) Weight: 62,6 gr Literature: “Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003 “The splendour of ethnic jewelry”, Borel, France, Thames & Hudson, 1994 SRI23
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Gilded silver pair of matching bracelets. Embossed bracelets like this are worn by a bride in Palembang (South Sumatra), one on each wrist, according to Islamic tradition. She wears the bracelets in festive occasions as well. This pair still keeps some hard material inside to avoid bumps and dents. From the 1st half of 20th century or earlier. Dimensions: Inner diameter: 6,7 cm (2,64 inches) Total diameter: 9,5 cm (3,74 inches) Width: 3,5 cm (1,38 inches) Weight: 251,1 gr Literature: “Magie van de vrouw”, Vanderstraete, Anne, werelsmuseum, Rotterdam, 2012 “Ethnic Jewelry from Indonesia”, Carpenter, Bruce W., Editions Didier Millet, 2011 INDO21
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Black Yao back adornment, from different subgroups like the Iu Mien, inhabiting Laos and Thailand. It is made with long cotton streamers which hang on the back of the tunic collars. The top is made with enamel medals (both sides), silver bells and glass beads. Traditionally this dark burgundy red is used. The most recent ones used a much brighter red. From the 1st half of 20th century. Dimensions: Length: 65 cm Width on top (with beads): 9 cm Reference: “The Yao” Pourret, Jess G.,River Books, Bangkok, 2002 SEA226
