Gallery

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.

Another big button - Why not?

Posted by Thelma on May 15, 2014 at 3:02pm

Another button with three rings of well-worn old glass stones; this is a button bought in Peshawar in the 1980s, a button sold by an Afghan refugee and despite its happy shine, a button, maybe of sadness.

Comments

Anna Garner May 15, 2014 at 3:11pm

Absolutely spectacular! I suspect you are right that it could tell many stories of very hard times.

Anna
Thelma May 15, 2014 at 3:25pm

Thanks Anna. Yes, it had obviously been kept very carefully. And I suppose it was a kind of insurance policy. But that doesn't make it easier to part with when the time comes!
Toya May 15, 2014 at 4:20pm

Such a beauty.
Ethnic Embellishments May 15, 2014 at 5:11pm

It glows with an almost medieval splendor.
SARAH CORBETT May 16, 2014 at 12:09am

a beauty................... i love them x
Thelma May 16, 2014 at 11:55am

Thanks Hillary and Toya .. and Sarah for the feature. Perhaps I should also have added that it is Yomud and 15.5 cms across. It must have looked very striking when worn as a collar button on someone's cloak.
Cordelia Donohoe May 16, 2014 at 1:10pm

gorgeous!
Betty May 16, 2014 at 6:11pm

A stunning button - I really would love to see a picture of it being worn :-)

And yes, sometimes the previous owner can tell you a fragment of a piece's story, and in this case it might well be a sad one. But I could imagine that the person who was forced to sell it once, might still be pleased that it found a new home where it is valued ...
Thelma May 17, 2014 at 11:52am

Thank you Cordelia and Betty for the comments.