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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Lovely piece that shows very clearly the connection between Ethiopia and Yemen in terms of jewellery design and silversmithing techniques.
Yes, very Yemen-like -- also a bit Rashaida which also produces very Yemen-like jewelry. There seems to be a Jewish influence in the granulation -- is this true? I would expect to see more of an Arabic flavor to the jewelry. Lovely completeness to this piece, especially in terms of the chain. Also this seems more refined than a lot of the Harar pieces I am familiar with-- with better quality silver.
Hello Patricia,
Harrar silver jewellery had the reputation in Ethiopia to have the better quality silver content.This before the 1974 (start of the revolution) soon after that there pieces turned out to be mostly nickel with little silver content. I have beautiful boxes and cressent pendants(bananas) and necklaces,beautifulyl executed in high silver content.
Ethiopia has a lot of trade and relationship with Yemen from long standing. They live and lived all throughout Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ras Aida is said to be a immigrated group from Yemen, I do not think they make their own jewellery as they are nomadic people.
There is actually jewelry which is attributed to the Rashaida. I have also read somewhere that women are responsible for jewelry making in this tribe -- I do not know how true this is, however. Most of the Rashaida pieces I have seen have been very heavy if lower silver quality. They are also responsible for the heavy silver thread Rashaida veil--iconic.
I cannot help you there Patricia. Although I contest once again, that is most probably what one is and was willing to pay for it. My pieces worn by the RasAida are of a good content of silver,some heavy some lighter in weight. I know that once upon a time there was a rush on the Eritrean market where low silver anklet were sold for little money aiming for the tourist market. The piece of info you gave me sound very exciting that women were responsible as jewellers, never heard or seen any, could it be that they decorated their veils with silver embroidery (like beading). But the actual working with fire?? Maybe you can refer me to the article? Thank you. Gr. Ingrid
Some of these heavier pieces are worn by members of the Rashaida so I do not believe they were necessarily made for the tourist market. Google images gives some info here. Yes, most likely it is embellishment of the veil as opposed to the actual metal work. I will look for that article about them again and post it.
Here is the link to the info about Rashaida women, I don't know if this author is an expert or, in fact, observed women making jewelry.http://saharanvibe.blogspot.com/2007/02/rashaida.html
Thank you Patricia, that looks like a very interesting article, I am going to read it thoroughly tonight. Thank you, they are a very fascinating people. And they do stick to themselves, from both sides do they not migle. About the anklets I did write that they can be light or heavy in my collection but of good silver content, that was also one of my criteria because I love the silver metal. Most probably it is a bit hars to say just for the tourist but in general people checked well because they were after all a engament of wedding gift.
nice piece and outstanding colection and knowledge
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