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 really like this piece, Eva! Personally, I wouldn't clean the dangles any further, they have a special rustic charm they way they are. But that's a matter of personal taste, of course...
As for the way these headdresses are worn, I believe the dangles are actually at the back of the head. If you very look carefully at the pictures you posted, it is not the lady's face we can see underneath the dangles, but the nape of her neck (the hair is parted to fall over the shoulders). I have seen another photo somewhere that shows the "dangle position" more clearly. Must dig for it though...
@Hi Betty, thanks. Really, you think this part is worn in the back? By the photo here posted by me, it is indeed difficult to figure it out... As they are Muslims, I just thought it would be worn in the front similar to a veil. But you might be right. ( I do not know..........I just assumed by the Pictures).....always good to learn! (I removed my remark on top "worn in the front"..as Long as it is not confirmed to be worn in the front....)
I agree with Betty , Eva, regarding the cleaning of the aluminium...for me clean aluminium looks recent and cheap, "dirty" one looks antique...
Betty, you are right! I have found a Picture, it seems the dangles are worn in the back! One can see it here clearly (the woman at right in the purple Dress), while on the first photo it was not clear to me. But you are right.
About the cleaning - I assume it will not get cleaner.... so I will probably leave it like it is.
Hi Eva and Betty, I will add another picture to show of how the breasts telsums are traditionally worn.
It looks to me as if it is a marriage of some cultural traditions brought together. The way they are strung is a of more recent years than the telsums were made. At that time the small glass beads (old) were irregular of shape (see my photo of the breast telsums) and here they are strung on perfectly shaped glass beads, new bohemian beads. The breast symbols on Eva,s photo are made of silver and lovely of shape. But sparecely used.
So my opinion is that it is being re-used mixed with a new fashion (two border cases mixed) silver province (Wollo mixed with a aluminium fashion province) You know I seem to remember that the Telecommunication and railway cable used to have lots of trouble (in my time) because of the stealing of the aluminium wiring cables., just a funny anecdote. Special were the Afars used to travel.
Hi Ingrid, thank you for your comment. I was starting to answer, but my Internet Connection broke off twice now, so I am losing the thread... I agree with you about the White beads, being too regular to be old. However, the Aluminium dangles, the iron chains that connect them (interlocked with the White beads) and the breast symbols are old. I wonder whether the rusty iron chains (between White beads and Alu dangles) can just be woven into new glass beads (?). I do not know, I just wonder. Could it be, if your assumption is correct that it has been restrung with new glassbeads, that some part (where the iron chains are interwoven) remained original ? I do not know, really.
Suite: you know the chains between dangles and White beads, they are very rusty......... (I wish they were not), they must be quite old. they are woven into the White beads........ (I do not mind to know the truth, if you really think it is restrung with new glassbeads, it is ok for me). It is good to find out!
I have quickly seen the scans you added, I understand that other headdresses have more breast symbols closer together.
Eva, the chains are iron coated and the coating disappears with friction.(industrial) and that does rust when in touch with water. Actually it is rust in combunation of the red iron soil. The headdress is charming and of Ethiopia but a tradition which has come in later than the time that the breast symbols were made. Like I have written before it is good to see that all charming decorative pieces do find a new life in the fashions of today
Thanks Ingrid, I was very disappointed at first, but then, that is how it is. We have to live with the truth - it is always better than lies. At least some of it s components are old (everything except the glass beads), a small solace. I like the headdress as it is, it has it s charm, and I will soon Forget my disappointment.... It is NOT your fault, and I appreciate it that you told me, it is restrung.
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