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.

Chin chain or iznaq from Bethlehem, Palestine

This was worn by Bethlehem city/town women, connected to the headdress by the hooks and dangling just beneath the chin. I have also seen photos of women wearing them with the hooks connected in back, as a necklace. This is how I wear it. It is about 800 silver and a dramatic jewel.
Read more…
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • Dear Lynn,
    A very nice chin chain indeed! The classic version is with a total of 7 chains and (nick)named the "7 Souls Necklace". There are quite many variations existing though, depending also on the region they originate, of which I have a few in my collection. A nice find which becomes extremely rare to obtain. And if one can find the original pieces, the prices are rather astronomical. Congratulations! Peter
  • Peter, I was inspired by your beautiful Palestinian jewels to photograph it.  I am so glad you enjoy it!  In my imagination, my Bethlehem lady was not so fine as to afford the seven chain version.  

  • Dear Lynn,
    This is what counts! I have a unit which has 8 chains, hence, also not the typical 7-souls necklace. However, also in old days, not everybody could either afford the "typical" one or simple wanted to be different. Such deviations are usually rare and therefore precious as there are only a very few of the same existing. With kind regards. Peter
  • Beautiful piece no matter how many or few its souls are! Thank you for posting a picture.

This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Adorned Histories to add comments!

Join Adorned Histories

Request your copy of our newsletter.

If you would like to receive our newsletter

Click here