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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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Silver earrings from Himachal Pradesh (India), called "Kantaie" . They were hung in groups of 7, 9 or 11 per ear or side of the head in a piece of cloth, fixed above the ear in the hair, giving the impression of earrings. There's a picture of how they were used in Untracht, ill. 240. High-grade silver. They are from the end of the XIX century or beginning of the XXth Dimensions: Diameter: 9 cm Combined weight: 99 gr. Literature: “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 “Earrings. Ornamental identity and beauty in India”, Ganguly, Waltraud, B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2007 IND482
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Gilded silver Karo Batak ring called Tapak gajah, from Sumatra, Indonesia. This type of ring was made on instructions from a guru or religious specialist, and was worn as a method of treatment. Additional magic substances were often inserted on the inside of the bezel. The Batak interprered illness as proof that their living soul had temporarily lost direct contact with its person. Through such a ring and the medicine of a guru the soul could be persuaded to stay close to the patient, who would quickly recover from his or her illness. The outside of the ring is decorated with lavish filigree, twisted wires and granulations. From the 19th or early 20th century. Provenance: Belgian private collection Dimensions: Top of the ring: 1,5 x 1,2 cm Ring size: US 9 - 19 mm inner diameter Literature: “Bagues ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie et d’Amerique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2000, p. 177 “Gold Silver and Brass, jewellery of the Batak”, Sibeth, Achim, 5 Continents Editions, 2012. p. 118 “Power and gold: jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines”, Rodgers, Susan, Presteg Verlag, Geneve, 1988, p. 279 INDO98
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High-grade silver necklace, from Sri Lanka, the clasp has beautiful decoration and it still holds some gilding. From the 19th century or early 20th century. In good condition, with some slight dents on some of the beads. Dimensions: Length: 71 cm Size of the clasp: 9 x 3,8 cm Diameter of beads: 1,9 cm SRI28
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Old silver Rashaïda bracelet, finely decorated. This type of bracelets can be found in Ethiopia, Yemen, and Sudan, and were used in the upper part of the arm. From the first half 20th Century or earlier. High-grade silver (tested). Dimensions: Total diameter: 14 cm Inner diameter: 7 cm Width: 2,7 cm Weight: 215,8 gr Literature: “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002 “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984 “Silver treasures from the land of Sheba”, Ransom. Marjorie, The American university in Cairo Press, 2014 ME181
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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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This is a rare silver box. Although it looks Persian at first sight, when examined closely it seems to be from a different region. It is still Quoran box amulet , with a lid that opens, but the decoration looks maybe Middle Eastern. It also has three bails, which suggests that it is worn, not on the forearm (as Persian/Afghans ones) but probably hanging as a pendant. It could also be from Iran or Afghanistan, a different type than the ones that are more often found, or maybe from a transitional region between the Middle East and Central Asia. Material: high grade silver. From the first quarter of the 20th century or earlier. It is in good condition, although both hinges are broken and the lid has to be attached to the base to be functional. Provenance: French private collection. The box was sourced in Saudi Arabia in the 60s or 70s. Dimensions (with bails): 8,5 x 8 x 1,8 cm Weight: 72,8 gr ME258
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A Tibetan gau amulet pendant, with excellent patina and good workmanship. This gau was worn in the Eastern provinces of Tibet, Kampa region. Made of high grade silver, brass and coral. A leather string was tied at the back to avoid losing the lid. From the 1st half of the 20th century. Dimensions: 6,3 x 4,5 x 3,8 cm Weight: 44,5 gr Literature: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003 “Jewellery of Tibet and the Himalayas”, Clarke, John, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 2004 HIM130
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Necklace worn by Dayak Kenyah people in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Beads are valued by all the Borneo's tribes. Dayak families of the upper class own a certain number of old beads which formed an important part of a family’s prestige and wealth, and were one of the principal forms of currency. Materials: Silver and glass beads. Glass beads were for years imported and traded from India, China and Europe. The yellow doughnut beads and the rosette decorated beads have considerable ritual value. Age: The necklace is made with beads of different ages, some of them could be a couple of hundred years old or more, other glass beads are from the 19th and 20th century. The majority of the heirloom glass beads in Kalimantan are most probably from the 17th-19th c, when trade with Europe was at his height. Dimensions: Total length: 80 cm Diameter of biggest bead: 1,5 cm Literature: "Heirloom beads among the Dayak of Borneo", Campbell, Barbie, BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers 34 (2022) "Beads of Borneo", Munan, Heidi, Editions Didier Millet, 2005, p. 11 "Beads in Indonesia" Adhyatman, Sumarah - Arifin, Redjeki, Penerbit Djambatan, 1993, p. 79 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 343 INDO81
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Necklace worn by Bidayuh people in West Borneo, Indonesia. Worn mainly by men. Beads are valued by all the Borneo's tribes. Dayak families of the upper class own a certain number of old beads which formed an important part of a family’s prestige and wealth, and were one of the principal forms of currency. Materials: glass beads and brass bells. The brass bells add spiritual strength to the translucent blue and green glass beads. Age: The necklace is made with beads of different ages, some of them could be a couple of hundred years old or more, other glass beads are from the 19th and 20th century. The majority of the heirloom glass beads in Kalimantan are most probably from the 17th-19th c, when trade with Europe was at his height. Dimensions: Total length: 78 cm Diameter of biggest bead: 1,8 cm Literature: "Heirloom beads among the Dayak of Borneo", Campbell, Barbie, BEADS: Journal of the Society of Bead Researchers 34 (2022) "Beads of Borneo", Munan, Heidi, Editions Didier Millet, 2005, p. 65 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 343 INDO80
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Turkoman woman’s ear pendant called “tenetschir”, generally attached to a headdress, not to the ears. From the Tekke people from the oasis of Merv and Salor people from the oasis of Serachs. Materials: high-grade silver, fire-gilded silver and carnelians in table cut. From the 19th or first quarter of the 20th century. Provenance: UK private collection Dimensions: 20 x 6 cm Weight: 86 gr Literature: “Old silver jewellery of the Turkoman”, Schletzer, Dietrich Reimer Verlag, 1984, p. 184.5 “Der Turkmenenschmuck”, Rudolph, Hermann, Museum für Völkerkunde, 1984, p. 134 “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001. p. 81 “Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The pepin Press, 2002, p. 96 “De kracht van Zilver. Etnische sieraden uit de collectie smith hutschenruyter”, Mols, Luitgard, Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, 2011, p. 134 “Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009, p. 354 CA208
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Silver flexible "paizebh" anklet from Uttar Pradesh, India. High-grade silver shaped in a beautiful chain. From mid-XXth Century or earlier. It can be opened easily with a pin. This kind of flexible Indian anklets look lighter and more frivolous than the rigid pieces that can be found in other regions in India, but they are usually heavier than they appear to be. Women in traditional Central India usually wear several flexible and rigid anklets on each leg at the same time. Check the post about Indian anklets here in my blog for more information. Dimensions: Length: 22,5 cm Width: 3,5 cm Weight: 134,1 gr. Literature: “De kracht van Zilver. Etnische sieraden uit de collectie smith hutschenruyter”, Mols, Luitgard, Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, 2011 “Indian Jewellery”, Holbein Hendley, Thomas, BR publication, Delhi, 2009 “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997 IND1570
