-
Big gau, made of high-grade silver, copper (back), and set with coral beads and turquoise. Excellent workmanship and good condition overall, consistent with age and wear. The central turquoise is a later replacement. This gau was worn in Tsang Province, south central Tibet as well as in Western Tibet. From the 1st half of the 20th century. Dimensions: 10 x 9,5 x 1,5 cm Weight: 130,8 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 HIM116
-
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: 46 cm Size of bigger pendants: Between 3,2 cm Weight: 153,3 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 ARG130
-
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: 92 cm Central pendant with dangles: 11,5 x 5,7 cm Weight: 262,1 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 CA172
-
Rare silver and coral necklace from Uzbekistan, most probably from the Khorezm area. First half of the 20th century. Material: coral beads, silver, glass beads and Ottoman and Russian coins. The Ottoman or Uzbek coins are old and worn, one of them is dated in 1279 (1858 CE, the other ones are worn off and it is not possible to see the date. The Russian coins are dated between 1922 and 1929. Dimensions: Length: 62 cm Size of the bigger Russian coins: 2,7 cm (diameter) Weight: 162 gr Literature: “Kyrgyzstan. Ethnic jewellery of Central Asia”, Kadyrov, V., Rarity Firm LTD, 2007, p. 21 “Il corallo. Nell'ornamento dell'Asia islamica dalla Turchia all'Uzbekistan”, del Mare, Cristina-Vidale, Massimo, Electa napoli, 2001, p. 92 CA170
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Fulani (Peul) necklace, made with very old carnelian round beads, old Czech glass beads and skunk old Venetian glass beads. This type of necklaces is valued by many of the Fulani groups, and women wear several strands at the same time. Carnelian is believed to ease menstrual pains and help cure sicknesses of the blood. The carnelian arriving for centuries to the West African cultures came from the mines in Gujarat, India, first through the Arab trade boats and then by caravan crossing Africa from East to West. Dimensions: Length: 80 cm The round carnelian beads measure 1 cm. Weight: 152,9 gr. Literature: “Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984, p. 169 WA166
-
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
-
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
-
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
