A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.
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I am Charlotte, and I've been interested in beads and jewellery ever since I can remember. I was introduced to "Africa Adorned" whilst studying a 3D Design degree, and it gave me masses of inspiration for my work.
I now mostly work with glass, but I do silversmithing occasionally. My first (and for many years my only) major purchase was an Omani silver necklace, bought about 15 years ago at a local auction.
I don't have many pieces but I have started collecting telsum beads. I am very grateful to all those who have shared information and pictures on here - these have been extremely helpful! I have also contacted Ingrid who is selling Wonderful Things on her Etsy site...and I have been tempted!
These have been purchased recently. The top strand are silver (and from Ingrid), and I have made a wool/silk braid for them with a sterling clasp. These are my favourites, and they are just exquisite.
The 2nd strand do not test as silver although the work is wonderful. All of the beads except one were purchased together and the woollen threads are original. I replaced a round telsum as it was without any guilding and it's bail was magnetic - it's replacement matches in perfectly. There were also 3 other beads which did not match in; one is in strand 5 and the other two are loose on the bottom row.
The 3rd strand came from an American dealer, and these are silver. They have a modern feel to them; either that or they have hardly been worn.
The 4th strand I have put together from pieces bought from various sellers. The round centrepiece was originally from strand 2. None of these test positive for silver, but again the workmanship is lovely.
The 5th strand are mostly from an American dealer on Ebay (who also provided some of the beads in strand 4). These are of varying lesser quality, and are of base metal. Some of these also have magnetic bails.
Welcome Charlotte! Your collection is stunning! What kind of wool and silk yarn have you used in the stringing? When you get a chance, you could take some close-up pictures of your lovely telsums.
Thank you Lynn! I have used a pure navy wool for some, which is slightly lighter in shade to the original strand I had. The silk blend was a lovely purple colour that I thought would compliment the gold wash. I'll dig out the labels when I get home :)
Hi Charlotte, what a lovely surprise to see you back here on Ethnic Jewels. This is really a formidable display. So many. I am amazed that your choice sofar are all the heavy granulated ones. You have done a good job restringing and re-arranging them.
Thank you for referring me with such a compliment. Thank you. You are going to love the next batch especially the feel of the.
Welcome on this site and exciting. Gr. Ingrid.
Charlotte, the beautiful necklace in your logan is the necklace from Oman you bought 15 yrs ago. A stunner, maybe you can display that one to the members. I think I saw this beauty on pinterest?
Just wondering. It is a stunner. Gr. Ingrid.
Thank you Ingrid - this is the first time I have shown it...I will add a photo of it :)
I missed your earlier comment Ingrid - thank you for your kind words! I do have more telsums that are not granulated - but not nearly as many! I love the granulation...it reminds me of Etruscan work, which I have seen on my travels in Greece. I understand that ancient Eritrea traded with ancient Greece and Rome, so I wonder if the jewellers retained these old techniques or whether they re-introduced them in the late 19th century when European jewellers managed to figure out how the ancients did it?
Very beautiful Charlotte - I absolutely share your love for granulated telsum! Thanks for showing your collection here.
Interesting question... I guess in many ways Etruscan work ultimately influenced the North Ethiopian pieces, but Ottoman influence would perhaps be the more direct link. After all, some regions of Eritrea where part of the Ottoman Empire for quite a while....
This is an intrique question. And I really do not know when it started to get the jewellers introduced to this skilled work, like the Etrusks they were the ones known for their fillegrain work. Ethiopia and Eritrea did have connections with the Greeks, and they trace back some of the hair piece jewellery to Egyptians, via the black Faraos.(Nubians). Especially Eritrea and Tigrai. Than from the Yemen, jewish jewelers, and also a lot of influence from India. In the time of a town called Adullish (old coast town, intensive trade with India in the 6th century. Now it are especially the Tigrai jewellers who were the ones most skilled in this work mostly from father to son. So there it is of what I know. until approximately 20 yrs. ago. Gr. Ingrid.
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