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Matching pair of Turkmen bracelets. Made of silver and gilded silver. According to Anne Van Cutsem, this kind of bracelets without gemstones comes from North of Afghanistan. From the first half of the 20th century or earlier. Dimensions: Size: 7 x 5,5 x 5,5 cm Inner diameter: 6,5 cm Width: 5,5 cm Back gap: 3,8 cm Weight: 172,7 gr References: “Bracelets ethniques”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 150 “Der Turkmenenschmuck”, Rudolph, Hermann, Museum für Völkerkunde, 1984, p. 246 “The arts and crafts of Turkestan”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1983, p. 104 CA138
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"Hombori" stone bracelet, West Africa. Hombori is the name of a chain of mountains, and the region around. Dogon, Songhai, Fulani, Mossi, Frafra and some other groups wear this sort of bracelets. The region is rich in different stones, one of them is this kind of marble. From the 19th century or early 20th. Provenance: ex-UK private collection. Dimensions: Total diameter: 11 cm Inner diameter: 7,5 cm Width: 2,4 cm Weight: 235,4 gr Literature: “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, pag. 120-121 “African Hats and jewellery”, Clarke, Duncan, PRC Publishing, 1998, p.43 “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 45 WA121
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"Hombori" stone bracelet, West Africa. Hombori is the name of a chain of mountains, and the region around. Dogon, Songhai, Fulani, Mossi, Frafra and some other groups wear this sort of bracelets. The region is rich in different stones, one of them is this kind of marble. From the 19th century or early 20th. Provenance: ex-UK private collection. Dimensions: Total diameter: 10 cm Inner diameter: 8 cm Width: 3 cm Weight: 235,4 gr Literature: “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, pag. 120-121 “African Hats and jewellery”, Clarke, Duncan, PRC Publishing, 1998, p.43 “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 45 WA124
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A three-strand of small bronze pendants and beads. Each of the pendants (1 cm high) has been cast by the lost wax technique. Most probably Kondh tribal culture, Orisha, India. From the 1st half of the 20th century or earlier. In the original stringing. Provenance: ex UK private collection. Length (longest strand): 78 cm Weight: 107,7 gr IND1636
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South Indian Silver bracelet from Tamil Nadu, South India. Regardless the precise and rich refined decoration, this kind of bracelet belong to rural communities. From the 1st half of the 20th century. Provenance: ex-Dutch private collection. Dimensions: Total size: 10,5 x 11 x 4 cm Inner diameter: 7,5 cm Weight: 111,2 gr Literature: “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 169 “Indian Folk jewellery”, Ganguly, Waltraud, B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2015, p.107 “Indian Jewellery”, Holbein Hendley, Thomas, BR publication, Delhi, 2009 IND1643
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Pair of Afghan earrings, made of silver wire, wrapped in a spiral and granulated bottom end. Inset with what it seems to be carnelian stones on top. Accordinag to Janata (see literature) these earrings are wrongly attributed to the Kazakhs, but this type, is undoubtedly native to northern Afghanistan and fits stylistically and technically into one of the dominant Tajik styles. Early 20th century. High grade silver and carnelian. Dimensions: 6,5 x 1,5 cm Weight: 19 gr Literature: “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001, p. 85 “Schmuck in Afganisthan”, Janata, Alfred, Akademische Druck, 1981, p. 95 CA155
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Nose ring from Himachal Pradesh in the typical bulak design, a large crescent, constructed with
very fine granulation and a coral bead. These were worn in the Septum of the nose, hanging down to or over the mouth.
From the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: 7,3 x 4,5 cm. Provenance: German private collection. Literature:
“Nose rings of India”, Ganguly, Waltraud, BR publishing Corporation, 2015, p. 63 HIM97 -
Yemeni ring made of high-grade silver. This kind of rings are called tower rings, and are also worn by Rashaida women. Age: 1st half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Total height of the ring: 4,5 cm Ring size: 20 mm inner diameter - US size 10 Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 120 “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, p. 279 YEM205
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Yemeni ring made of high-grade silver. This kind of rings are called tower rings, and are also worn by Rashaida women. Age: 1st half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Total height of the ring: 4,2 cm Ring size: 18,75 mm inner diameter - US size 8 3/4 Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 120 “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, p. 279 YEM206
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Yemeni ring made of high-grade silver. This kind of rings are called tower rings, and are also worn by Rashaida women. Age: 1st half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Total height of the ring: 3,8 cm Ring size: 16,25 mm inner diameter - US size 5 1/2 Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 120 “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, p. 279 YEM204
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Big silver Turkmen ring, worn by people of the Teke tribe, Central Asia. The Yuzuk ring is very simple. A large carnelian is set in a wide silver band, a thin twisted wire running around the base of the stone. The band may be decorated with a relief, sometimes a very complicated one, but the general effect is always that of monumentality and severity. High-grade silver, gilded silver and a big old carnelian bead on top. From the first quarter of the 20th century or earlier. Dimensions: Top of the ring: 2,5 cm Ring size: 18 mm (inner diameter) or 7 3/4 (US size) Provenance: German private collection. Literature: “Bagues ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie et d’Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p.112 “Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009, p.261 “Schmuck aus Zentralasien”, Prokot, Inge and Joachim Callwey, Verlag München, 1981, p. 142 “The arts and crafts of Turkestan”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1983, p.127 “Der Turkmenenschmuck”, Rudolph, Hermann, Museum für Völkerkunde, 1984, p. 251 CA147
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Glass beads necklace from the Rabari people in Gujarat (India), with a central amulet in the center. Materials: low grade silver, glass beads, buttons, cowrie glass imitations. Dimensions: Length: 67 cm Size of the central amulet case: 3,5 x 3,5 cm IND1646
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Old Kazakh silver ring from Central Asia, with very nice worn patina. The oval bezel setting is backed with red paper. High grade silver. From the 19th or early 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Size of the ring: 18,25 mm (inner diameter) - US size 8. Literature: “Later Islamic Jewellery”, L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1987, p. 143 “The arts and crafts of Turkestan”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1983, p. 127 CA144
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Old silver ring from Central Asia, with inset with a carnelian gemstone. High grade silver. From early 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Size of the ring: 18 mm (inner diameter) - US size 7 3/4. CA152
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Pair of earrings with chased and niello decoration of arabesques and a piece of cloisonné enamel on the front, inset with glass, whose finesse contrasts with the pre-Saharan nature of the ornament. These are typical of the Tiznit region. Due to the size and weight of the earrings they are worn as temporals and are attached to the headdress with a chain and a decorated hook. Of exceptional craftmanship, such pieces are particularly ostentatious. The earrings are in pristine condition, no pieces missing or unmatched. From early 20th century, maybe earlier. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Length of the chain: 50 cm Each earring 15 x 10,5 cm Weight: 151,4 cm Literature: “Berber Memoires”, Draguet, Michel, Mercator fonds, Yale, 2021, p. 269-271 “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p. 253 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996, p. 53 MAR295
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Silver belt with a hand made chain formely used by Son Koli fishermen of the Bombay area, who wore it below the navel over the dhoti (lower garment) to hold the dhoti up. High grade silver. From the 19th century or early 20th. Provenance: German private collection. Length: 87,5 cm Weight: 157,4 gr Literature: “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 IND1647
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Old silver ring, made of high grade silver and a glass inset on top and on both sides, most probably from Afghanistan. From the first half of the 20th Century. This ring is 18,50 mm - US 8 1/4 Provenance: UK private collection. CA113
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Silver ring, most probably from the Sindh region in Pakistan. Anne van Cutsem mentions (see literature) that these rings come from Pashtun tribes. Glass and high-grade silver. Age: First half of the 20th century Provenance: UK private collection. The size of the ring is 18 mm - inner diameter (7 3/4 US size) . The top of the ring measures 35 x 35 mm. Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 120 CA127
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Silver and coral earrings which were worn in the Western Rif area in North Morocco, according to Rouach (see literature). High-grade silver (hallmarked with the “Tête de belier”) and coral. The frontal plate of the loops is inset with colourful glass pieces, all in good condition. From the beginning of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Size (each): 10,5 x 6 cm Weight: 75,6 gr Literature: “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001, p.20 “Bijoux Berbéres Au Marroc dans la tradition judeo-arab”, Rouach, David, ACR Edition, 1989, p. 62 ““Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p.219 MAR292
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Big silver ornament worn on the back of the head attached to the headdress as an amulet, to protect against evil eye. Used by the Tuaregs Tel-Aïr, from Niger. It is also used as pectoral in the Hoggar region, and as temporal in certain occasions. The five triangular small pendants have also a protective meaning. One of them is missing in the central lower pendant. From the 1st half of the 20th century. Materials: Silver, leather, copper, brass, and iron on the back. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Total height with leather cord: 54 cm Size of the biggest amulet: 13,5 x 16 cm Literature: “Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009 “Bijoux tuaregs”, Burner, Jean, Éditions du Fournel, 2011, p.163-5 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 52 “Tuaregs. Nòmades del desert“, Fundació la Caixa, 2002, p.131 WA147
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Silver earrings from Nage or Ngada people, Flores, Indonesia. Age: 1st half of the 20th century or earlier. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 0,5 cm Weight: 20,1 gr Literature: “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001, p.283 “Sieraden, en lichaamsversiering uit Indonesië”, Wassing, Rita, Museum Nusantara, 1984, p.71 INDO130
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Traditional old silver earplugs from the Karen tribe They are worn on extended earlobes holes. High-grade silver +800 (tested). From the 19th century. Dimensions: Gauge: 17 mm Diameter of the edge on the back side of the earring: 20 mm Diameter: 3,4 mm Both of them weigh 23 gr. Literature: “Peoples of the golden triangle”, Lewin, Paul and Elaine, River Books, Bangkok, 1998, p. 60 “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001, p. 236 SEA8
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Silver earrings from the Hill Tribes, especially the Hmong ethnic minority, living in the Golden triangle in SE Asia. Very small and delicate dangles hang from them. Made of high grade +800 silver (tested). From mid-XXth Century or earlier. Miao and Hmong silver, made of outstandingly fine silver, are also notable for their clean forms. Whereas rings are very rare, we know of an incredible number of types of earrings, and variations on a single theme. According to van Cutsem, these types of earrings already become rare by the late 70's. The earrings measure - with dangles 8 cm (3,15 in). The gauge is approx. 4 mm. Both of them weigh 12 gr. Reference: “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia, America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001 “The art of silver jewellery”, Skira, 2006 “Peoples of the golden triangle”, Lewin, Paul and Elaine, River Books, Bangkok SEA285
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Necklace made with filigree and granulated silver beads and phenolic resin. The silver beads are from the beginning of the 20th century or earlier, the phenolic resin beads are from the first half of the 20th c. The composition is newer. Some of the beads are worn and a small portion of the granulation is missing in a couple of them (see pictures). Provenance: German private collection From the 1st half of the 20th century (re-strung later) Materials: high grade silver (the filigree beads) low grade silver (both conical ends and chain) and phenolic resin beads) Dimensions: Total length: 58 cm Size of the phenolic beads:2,6 x 2,2 cm Diameter of silver beads: 1,8 cm Weight:144,7 gr Literature: “Silver treasures from the land of Sheba”, Ransom. Marjorie, The American university in Cairo Press, 2014
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High grade silver bracelet from the Qing Dynasty. Bracelets like this were always a betrothal gift, given to the bride’s family by a middleman, together with other gifts and a proposal card. Age: 19th century. Dimensions: Inner diameter: 6 cm Width: 1,5 cm Literature: “Four centuries of Silver. Personal adornment in the Qing Dynasty and after”, Duda, Margaret, Times editions, Singapure, 2002, p.102 SEA301
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High grade silver bracelet from the Qing Dynasty. Bracelets like this were always a betrothal gift, given to the bride’s family by a middleman, together with other gifts. Age: 19th century. Dimensions: Inner diameter: 6 cm Width: 1,5 cm Literature: “Four centuries of Silver. Personal adornment in the Qing Dynasty and after”, Duda, Margaret, Times editions, Singapure, 2002, p.102 SEA296
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Silver ring, with two coral beads insets, for doble protection. Rare find, in good condition. From the 19th century or early 20th. High grade silver and coral. Provenance: Spanish private collection. Size of the ring: 20 mm or US size 10 Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 98-99 “Silver treasures from the land of Sheba”, Ransom. Marjorie, The American university in Cairo Press, 2014, p.63 YEM106
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From the 19th century or early 20th. High grade silver and very detailed decoration. Provenance: Spanish private collection. Size of the ring: 19,25 mm or US size 9 1/4 Literature: “Bagues ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie et d'Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 98-99 “Later Islamic Jewellery”, L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1987, p.92 YEM149
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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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Gold pendant from Rajasthan representing Bhumiya Raj, who is a deified hero, a landed military proprietor or chieftain who died in defense of his property, including villages and their inhabitants. This type of amulet subject is worn chiefly in Western Rajasthan by Hindu Rajputs, Jats and others. From the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: 2,9 x 2,2 cm Reference: “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers “Indian Folk jewellery”, Ganguly, Waltraud, B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2015 IND1448
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A gold marriage pendant from South India, worn by women in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This kind of pendants are not massive gold, they usually have a lac core. Purity of gold is 22 kt. From early 20th century or earlier. Provenance: Spanish private collection. Dimensions: Height:3,8 x 1,5 x 1,4 cm Weight: 5,47 gr. Bibliography: “Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009 “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 “When gold Blossons”, Aitken, Molly Emma, Asia Society & Philip Wilson Publishers, 2004 “Dance of the peacock”, Krishnam, Usha R. Bala, India book House, 2010 “El llenguatge de la joia”, Fundació Caixa Girona, 2008 For more information about these pendants, check our post about Gold Indian talis IND1662
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A gold marriage pendant from South India, worn by women in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This kind of pendants are not massive gold, they usually have a lac core. Purity of gold is 22 kt. From early 20th century or earlier. Provenance: Spanish private collection. Dimensions: Height:3,7 x 1,5 x 1,7 cm Weight: 6,5 gr. Bibliography: “Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009 “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 “When gold Blossons”, Aitken, Molly Emma, Asia Society & Philip Wilson Publishers, 2004 “Dance of the peacock”, Krishnam, Usha R. Bala, India book House, 2010 “El llenguatge de la joia”, Fundació Caixa Girona, 2008 For more information about these pendants, check our post about Gold Indian talis IND1661
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Old bone earplugs from the Hill tribes living in South East Asia, most probably from Laos or Vietnam. This type of ear ornaments was worn by both men and women. They have to be wear on extended earlobes holes. By the end of the Seventies it was already rare to see men and women wearing these earplugs, and nowadays they are very difficult to find. Dimensions: Length: 36 mm Bigger diameter: 21 mm Smaller diameter (at the centre): 16 mm Weight: 31,4 gr Reference: “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia, America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001 SEA221
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A six-strand necklace that is usually worn in Southern Uzbekistan in an area where ethnic Uzbek, Tajik, and Pamir live. Made of silver, coral, shell and glass beads. Date: first half of the 20th century or earlier. Dimensions: Length: 88 cm Weight: 211 gr Literature: “Schmuck aus Zentralasien”, Prokot, Inge and Joachim Callwey, Verlag München, 1981 “Il corallo. Nell’ornamento dell’Asia islamica dalla Turchia all’Uzbekistan”, del Mare, Cristina- Vidale, Massimo, Electa napoli, 2001 “Kyrgyzstan. Ethnic jewellery of Central Asia”, Kadyrov, V., Rarity Firm LTD, 2007 “De kracht van Zilver. Etnische sieraden uit de collectie smith hutschenruyter”, Mols, Luitgard, Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, 2011 CA159
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Uzbek necklace, most probably from Bokhara (Central Asia). Made of silver, gilded silver, glass cabochons, coral, mother of pearl, pearls and some turquoises. First quarter of the 20th century. Provenance: Italian private collection. Dimensions: Length without cords: approx 60 cm Central pendant 14 x 7 cm Weight: 127,9 gr Literature: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 198 “Il corallo. Nell'ornamento dell'Asia islamica dalla Turchia all'Uzbekistan”, del Mare, Cristina-Vidale, Massimo, Electa napoli, 2001 “Kyrgyzstan. Ethnic jewellery of Central Asia”, Kadyrov, V., Rarity Firm LTD, 2007, p.18 CA161
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A two-strand of bronze beads. Each of the them has been cast by the lost wax technique. Most probably Kondh tribal culture, Orisha, India. From the 1st half of the 20th century or earlier. In the original stringing. Provenance: Italian private collection. Length (longest strand): 74 cm Weight: 191,9 gr IND1666
