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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That looks great, lucky you!
great finds!
Hi Edith,
Have you ever told Mr Mnouchi that if he had a go at ebay (might be easier for a Tunisian -administratively speaking-?) there were some weird western collectors out there who would die for his old silver?
Hope he is not scraping it? the thought breaks my heart.......
I think under the current regulations it may be a bit tough to simply sell things on ebay and send them out of the country. I think a lot of French collectors come into his shop, so probably some ends up on French market. He does melt down or re-purpose some pieces of lesser quality or that will not sell. Local jewelry designers also come into the shop to find pieces to re-purpose in new jewelry designs.
Thank you Edith. Very interesting.
I'd love for Mr. Mnouchi to join us, but it would need to be in French since he does not speak English. I manage to communicate with him in broken Arabic and French. I would be happy to pass on his details to anyone who asks. I have purchased not only these wonderful stray bits from him, but also some larger pieces of exceptional quality. He once even showed me a signed set of Moishe Nemni anklets! (I didn't even ask the price because I was afraid I might bankrupt myself, although I know his price would have been fair.)
He was a 20th century Jewish silver smith from Djerba, widely regarded as a master craftsman. Frankly, although I do think his work was exceptional, I think one can find many older pieces by unknown silver smiths of equal quality on the market. But Nemni has name recognition and was one of the few remaining masters. He has now passed, and collectors of Tunisian silver and Judaica fall all over themselves to buy one of Nemni's pieces.
Lovely pieces! The curved silver bead with the star looks to be Thai hill tribe silver to me based on its whiteness (999 silver) and patina and the way it was made. Did the seller have anything to say about it?
Hillary, Thai silver would surprise me, but things do have a way of traveling here from far distances. The seller did not say anything except that it was an old piece (there is a good wear pattern on it). The motif struck me as consistent with North African designs...is the 6-pointed star used in Thai design? I do also have an old Tunis necklace with a hollow silver pendant of different shape, but similar exposed edge construction.
It would not surprise me as I've seen things travel all over! Newer Thai silver features these same motifs and Thai silver in general takes on a wonderful patina as it is pure (999) silver and looks more worn as it wears faster due to the high silver, which is softer than, say 800 grade. I'd love to see a photo of the necklace. If this were to test 999 silver, that would give it away as Thai.
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