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Silver Armenian necklace, Some of the parts of the necklace seem to have been gilded. Inset with red and green glass beads. Each pendant was worked with filigree and granulation and all of them end up in Ottoman coins. Tugra seal hallmarks are stamped on all the elements. From the 19th century or early 20th, in very good condition, no elements missing. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Total length with chains: 44 cm Length without chains: 21 cm Width: 12 cm Weight: 158,8 gr Literature: “Museum of the ethnography of the peoples of the USSR”, Aurora Art Publishers, Leningrad, 1988, p. 83 “Armenian women's adornments in the 18th-20th centúries”, Israellyan, Astghik, National Museum, Yerevan, 2021, p. 155 CA254
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Necklace from the Toraja people, Sulawesi (Indonesia) The central pendant is made of a metal alloy. It is strung with granulated Toraja beads, glass beads and Dutch/Indonesian coins dated all of them in 1945. From the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: Length: 84 cm approx. Central Pendant:7 x 7 cm Size of coins: 1,8 cm (diameter) INDO159
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Necklace "Kalung Berahmeni", from the Karo Batak people, Sumatra (Indonesia). This necklace was worn by children and adolescents to protect them. The silver beads were formed over a resin core and engraved with magical patterns to ward off calamity. This type of beads were also common among the Gayo, the Alas and the Acehnese. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Length: 70 cm Size of biggest beads: 3 cm Weight: 201,5 gr Literature: “Ethnic Jewelry from Indonesia”, Carpenter, Bruce W., Editions Didier Millet, 2011, p. 85 “Gold Silver and Brass, jewellery of the Batak”, Sibeth, Achim, 5 Continents Editions, 2012, p. 141 “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p.338 INDO166
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These large silver bead necklaces called "nau gedi" are worn by western Tamang people north of Trisuli. Usually they have twelve to twenty beads, of a fluted barrel shape and about three centimeters in length. The holes are very large so that the beads may be strung on a knotted rope of black cotton thread or dark wool yarn, like the example shown here. A center pendant is bell-shaped and filled with pitch as are the beads. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Length of the necklace: 84 cm Size of the beads: 3 x 2,2 cm Total weight: 196,7 gr Reference: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, 267 “Jewelry of Nepal”, Gabriel, Hannelore, Thames & Hudson, London, 1999 “Jewellery of Tibet and the Himalayas”, Clarke, John, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 2004, p. 55 HIM138
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Rare Minangkabau necklace,from West Sumatra, Indonesia. The necklace is made of high grade silver (gilded). While the oval filigree pendants with a central flower might suggest the stylized lotus, they are also typical of the star forms used in the Islamic design protocols of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East and elsewhere. Late 19th century pictures show women of Solok wearing similar necklaces and it is likely that they were either made in nearby Padang on the coast or asembled there from filigree elements sent down by numerous silversmiths working in the Agam hills. The Central pendant is the biggest, and the rest have decreasing sizes. From the 19th or early 20th century. Dimensions: Length: 50 cm Size of central pendant with dangles: 6,5 x 3,5 cm Weight: 73,6 gr Literature: “Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago”. Anne Richter, Bruce W. Carpenter, ed.Didier Millet, 2011, p.286 INDO136
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Rare Minangkabau necklace,from West Sumatra, Indonesia. The necklace is made of high grade silver (gilded) and coral. From the 19th or early 20th century. Dimensions: Length: 62 cm Size of the central pendant: 6,5 x 6 cm Weight: 32,2 gr INDO147
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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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This is a complete set of big fibulae from Tiznit - Tafraoute, worn by Amazzigh/Berber women. They are made of High-grade silver and enamel, with glass settings. It is in very good condition and all elements are original. Both fibulae were cut from a sheet of silver and then etched with fine decoration and enamel. The chains linking both fibulae are also decorated with enamel and glass and some coins with a glass cabochons hangs from the chain. The central element is an amulet box or herz and, there's a decorated hook that was attached to the clothes to lighten the weight of the set. Both the herz and the hook are enamel and inset with glass. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: private German collection. Dimensions: Each fibula (with the needle): H 27 x W 16,5 cm total length from end to end: 86 cm Size of central pendant (with coins): 11,5 x 5 cm Weight 795 gr. References: “Les fibules, deux mille ans en Afrique du N”, Rabaté. Marie-Rose, ACR Edition, 2013 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996 “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998 “Berber women of Morocco” Fondation Yves Saint Laurent, 2014 MAR305
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A three-strand traditional coral necklace, called"namysto", from Ukraine. In Ukranian folklore corals were used to symbolize youth and health. Bright red beads meant that the woman was strong and healthy, but dull and greyish ones warned of disease. From the 19th century or older. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Length of the longest strand: 68 cm Size of the bigger central bead (diameter): 1,5 cm Weight: 134,6 gr Literature: “Splendor and shine in the river of time“, Steiner, Irene, Liechtensteinisches Landes Museum, 2020, p. 74 EUR19
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Necklace from Ladakh, India, made of old silver parts, amber, coral and turquoise beads, and a central lapis lazuli bead. The necklace was re-strung on the 80s' following the traditional Ladakhi ornaments, and using old parts and beads that can be as old as 18th or 19th century some of them. Dimensions: Total length (shorter strand): 62 cm Weight: 242,5 gr Literature: “Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997, p. 154 HIM129
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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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Silver necklace from the Greater Kabilia in Algeria. These sort of necklaces, called “Azrar”, were given to women as wedding dowry. They were then use on especial celebrations and festivals. Materials: high grade silver, coral and enamel. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. The necklace has 21 charm pendants in different shapes, also old French silver coins. Some of the pendants were enamel in blue, green and yellow. These colors and the enamel technique used on them are typical of Berber jewelry from the mountainous kabylie, especially from Beni Yenni. A red coral bead was inset on mostly all pendants, to protect the wearer from evil eye and illness. The necklace is shown in its original condition, and hasn’t been clean or repaired. Dimensions: Length: 41 cm Size of bigger pendants: Between 2,5 and 2,7 cm Weight: 147,4 gr It is fastened with a hook. Literature: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 36 “Abzim Parures et bijoux des femmes d'Algérie“, Tamzali, Wassyla, Enterprisse -algérienne de Presse, 1984, p. 164 “Bijoux berbères d'Algérie”, Camps-Fabrer, Edisud, 1990, p. 94 “L'argent de la lune”, Makilan, 2015, p. 97-99 “El llenguatge de la joia”, Fundació Caixa Girona, 2008, p. 116 “Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The pepin Press, 2002, p. 20 ARG141
