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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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Silver Omani amulet pendant, with etched decoration and small bells at the bottom. Decoration of the back suggests the Oman origin. This piece is rare and looks very similar to some Afghan and Hazara pendants. Materials: silver and turquoise. From the first half of the 20th century. It was sourced in Riadh by the previous owner in the 60s' or 70s'. Provenance: French private collection. Dimensions: 7 x 8 x 0,5 cm Weight: 38,2 gr A similar example from Yemen is in the collection "splendor and Shine" from Germany. ME249
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A magnificent men’s ceremonial belt from the Caucasus. Made of 38 interlocking parts cast in the highest grade sliver. Each individual part is furnished with a hallmark on its smooth back. All the small parts are attached to a leather band preserving thereby the flexibility of the heavy silver girdle. All segments have a tender raised leaf-side, on the upper rim of which arranged in dense rows are double volutes. The lower edge is decorated with black Niello. High grade silver, hallmarked, niello and some remains of gilding. Dimensions: Length:79 cm Width: 4,5 cm Weight: 787,3 gr Literature: “Silver from fetish to fashion”, Nadler, Daniel and Serga, pdn publishing, 2005, p.112 “Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009 “Remnants of the past-Collection of Lousick Agouletsi”, Tigran mets, 2010 CA40
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Silver belt from India. The decorated chain is common in Madhya Pradesh, although the silver tassels are more frequently seen in South India.
The two-panel clasp has a central screw forming a hinge.
From the first half of the 20th century.
Dimensions:
Total length: 79 cm
Clasp: 6,5 x 2,5 cm
Frontal tassels (with clasp): 20 cm
Weight: 276,4 gr
Literature:
“Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997
“Silver from fetish to fashion”, Nadler, Daniel and Serga, pdn publishing, 2005
“De kracht van Zilver. Etnische sieraden uit de collectie smith hutschenruyter”, Mols, Luitgard, Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, 2011
“Ceintures ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2004
IND1626 -
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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Rare Makara bracelets, from India.
From the 19th century.
Dimensions:
Total diameter: 8 cm
Inner diameter: 5,5 cm
Weight (combined): 119,5 gr
IND1623
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Silver earrings, worn most probably by the Zhuang people, one of the ethnic minorities inhabiting SW China. They were decorated with enamel of different colors and they show a worn dent at the top, meaning that they were probably used hanging from a string on each side of the face. High grade silver and enamel. First half of the 20th century. Provenance: French private collection. Dimensions: 5,5 cm (diameter) Gauge: 4 mm Weight: 42,3 gr SEA505
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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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High grade silver earrings from Oman. From Mid 20th century. Provenance: private Dutch collection. Dimensions:13,5 x 7 cm Weight: 43 gr Literature: “Oman Adorned”, Shelton, Pauline-Morris, Miranda, Apex Publishing, 1997 “Silver Jewellery of Oman”, Rajab, Jehan S., Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, 1997 “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001 ME212
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Heavy silver bracelet called musammat from Al-Dhahiyy in the Nothern Tihama Coastal Plain, Yemen. They are also worn in Southern Saudi Arabia. The central medallion was made with a M. Theresia Thaler (see pictures) with apliqué decoration. this kind of bracelet is worn on the upper part of the lower arm. From the first half of the XXth Century or earlier. High grade silver (+800), tested. Dimensions: Inner diameter: 6,5 cm Total diameter: 9,5 cm Width (medallion): 4,2 cm It weighs 380,7 gr. Reference: "Silver treasures of the land of Sheba" Marjorie Ransom, p. 139 “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 140 “Shine and Mistery, the splendor and power of Oriental jewelry”, Hoesli, Peter, Knayf-Museum Iphofen, 2023, p. 41 ME242
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Ottoman silver head or pectoral ornament, most probably from the Balkans region. The two ends have a hook on the back and a bail. Both pieces and the central hook were cast in a mold and gilded (two of the hools are missing). The coins are dated 1223 of the Islamic calendar (1801 in our calendar). It is a complete piece, if very good condition, no coins missing. Material: high grade silver and glass beads. Dimensions: Length of the shorter chain: 60 cm Length of longer chain: 82 cm Weight: 403,4 gr ME227
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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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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. 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 61 mm wide by 41 mm high. The chain is 73 cm long approx. (28,74 in). It weighs 80 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1151
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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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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 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. It was kept in a European collection for decades. The size of the pendant is 7 cm wide by 4,8 cm high. The chain is 82 cm long approx. It weighs 108 gr. IND1148
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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. With gold appliqué on the top of the casket. 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: 83 cm Size of pendant: 5,2 x 6,2 cm It weighs 98 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1152
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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. With gold appliqué on the top of the casket. 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: 83 cm Size of pendant: 4,5 x 6,8 cm It weighs 108 gr. For more information about this fascinating pieces, please see my post on Indian lingam box caskets. IND1148
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Antique silver needle case pendant, from China, which was worn hanging from the belt or the shoulder. From South West China. From early 20th Century. Embroidering was a very important activity in China for women during the Qing Dynasty, and they always carried their embroidery needles in a case made of bamboo and wood for lower class women and silver for upper-class women. This example here is a double container, finely work with delicate filigree and in perfect condition. The set is completed with more chains and decorative and protective small pendants. The silver container itself is approx 7 cm high (2,75 in). The total length of the chain is 41 cm (16,14 in) Weight: 80,2 gr Literature: “Four centuries of Silver. Personal adornment in the qing Dynasty and after”, Duda, Margaret, Times editions, Singapure, 2002 SEA175
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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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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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Old Yemeni ring made of high-grade silver and probably a red synthetic material, decorated with filigree and granulation. The whole ring has an old and worn patina. Rings with coral and carnelian were and are very popular in the area, as the color red has a protective meaning all around this region. If coral or carnelian is not available, red glass Work for the same purpose. From the first half of the 20th Century. The "stone" might be a later replacement. The size of the ring is 18 mm (inner diameter) – US size 7 3/4. Weight: 11 gr. References: “Bagues ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie et d’Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000 “Silver treasures from the land of Sheba”, Ransom. Marjorie, The american university in Cairo Press, 2014 YEM137
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Silver bracelets like this without enamel can also be seen in the region, but the ones with enamel are, according to Anne van Cutsem, specific to the Shan state. Although these two bracelets look very similar, they are not a pair and they are sold separately. From the 19th century. Dimensions approx.: 7,5 x 7 cm Inner diameter: 5,5-6 cm Literature: “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p.263 “Yunnan silver ornament”, Sun Helin, Yunnan people's Publishing House, p. 122 “The art of silver jewellery”, Skira, 2006, p. 160 “The jewelry of Southeast Asia”, Richter, Anne, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p.137 SEA346
