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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Beautiful bracelets, Peter!
I also recently purchased a similar with a very similar design which does not have a hallmark at all but came in a lot with other bracelets from Egypt (will post a pic later). All my research points indeed to the Oasis Al Fayyoum. But this is only what I gathered from various online sources and no first hand knowledge... As for the hallmark on your bracelet, I have the vague feeling that I have seen sth. of the kind before, but I can't put my finger on it. Kind regards, Betty
Dear Peter: These are very nice bracelets, look quite heavy too. It was very nice that your get them both. I can only say that these are Libyan Bracelets . From the design, shape and the way they were engraved in a very simple way , they certainly are not Libyan. Furthermore the hallmark is not from Libya. I am sorry that I could not judge whether they were from Egypt or not.
They seem to have the Width of the libyan famous flared bracelets but in the same time the distinctive archaic etching and raised volumes of the fayoum bracelets.
They are for sure early and rare examples from one of western oases of Egypt.
A wonderful find
These are very similar to the one I have here that is like very worn and simple similar shape. I was always told these were from Egypt but now know that some are Libyan . It is confusing as i see very little difference and so the designs hall marks must be the way to tell.
My understanding is that there are styles of bracelets that were made in Libya, and also made in Egypt but by Libyan jewelers who were working there. And that is why the same style may bear Libyan or Egyptian hallmarks.
i wish i had more books on the subject, my knowledge base on this part of the world is low. I just know what i like when i see it and good quality and age but about where it's from or who made it, it's not so clear.
For several decades bracelets of this type have in the west been monotously referred to as Egyptian, but I suspect that that is simply because most that were purchased were probably bought in Egypt, rather than that people were aware of Libyan smiths making them there, or in Libya. See in particular Alaa's comment below, which explains much, in particular because these are often thought of as Egyptian "oasis" pieces. And Peter, yours are to my mind truly remarkable because of their age and wear. The decoration is also attractively "rural" - "archaic", as Alaa says. They look far more remarkably "ethnic" than most, like our very typical example in *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment*, page 397, nice though that is. I have always had a weak spot for these - love the form, particularly.