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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Wahhhhh, magnificent and old and a lot of intricate work using various techniques.....Can I be nosy and ask you where you bought it? Another purchase from Tunis medina? Am sure (?) the rounded accretion may also, -as well as chick pea- have something to do with breast and fertility........it seems so widespread in the near and middle east.....
Before coming to Tunis we lived in Yemen. I bought these from my favorite shop in the Suk al-Meleh. My collection represents my travels. It is difficult to compare anything to the old Yemeni workmanship and I needed to really get past that fact when I arrived in Tunisia. A lot of Tunisian stuff is crudely made, sometimes mass produced, and lots of my pieces have runny solder lines visible. But Tunisian jewelry has its own wonders...for me the symbolism and mix of cultural influences are the things that make Tunisian jewelry fun, so I collect Tunisian pieces with a very different mind-set.
If things ever settle down enough to visit Yemen, I recommend visiting "World Friend". The shop owner is named Kamel. He always dealt with me in a very honest manner. He is not the cheapest, but his prices are fair, his goods superior, and he is up-front in his assessment of everything he sells. He always told me, "if you decide you don't want it later, I'll buy it back from you." I never took him up on his offer!!!
Very well expressed , Chantal. Thank you for the insight.
Thanks Chantal, I agree that this region is very interesting and also love the cross roads of culture in North Africa. The jewelry is a wonderful expression of a rich and diverse heritage.
I am sure there is something to your observation that these "chick peas" may be related to fertility (or at the very least their resemblance to things associated with fertility is certainly convenient!)
I hope you also will continue to post your terrific finds which have been instructive in my own treasure hunts! (I have by the way decided that my favorite of all those you have posted is that fabulous fish talisman. )
wonderful, dense and rich wormanship.
congratulations
Sound and pleasing stuff - also very authentic. From a good period in Yemen. Here I CAN judge what you are doing, Edith - much more so than in the case of Tunisia, though you showed some wonderful stuff from there!