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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Unusual pieces. I have never seen a piece like the central pendant with the cross before. The Trigrayan wedding rings are exceptionally beautiful. And again I learned sth: I didn't now that the lion claw pendants are used to protect pregnant women. How interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing!
You know Betty, so is ivory, a spiritual protection. Because it was not a small fete to kill an animal with only a spear, and it was seen as the bravery of the husband will also protect his beloved ones.
Beautiful pieces and interesting stories......... Well, as an animal Lover, I am against all such things like ivory etc. Some is really old Tradition, and was made before the animals almost got extinct, so I try to accept it with a weeping eye. Has Ethiopia today still lions? (Do not know).
Ethiopia does have still lions, very few. Used to be all over same as Cheetahs,leopard and black leopard, some elephants, foxes (Siemen fox) a few elephants loads of wilde-beest, hyenas etc. But decreasing.
crocodils loads and hypo's etc.etc. But the good thing is that fashion in ivory is diminising as modern items are now wanted.
thanks Ingrid, I thought it (Ethiopia) had None anymore.... glad they still have, also the elephants. and of course other types of animals. I remember an Exhibition when I was a child, in Zurich, about Ethiopia, and they had two real live lions in a round Cage in the court where the Exhibition took place. they were said to belong to the emperor. They were of darker colour than the lions we had in our Zoo. This is very very very Long ago........... !
back to the jewellery, love the wedding ring on top with the filigrain pattern, very Special!
the granulated ring is a real joy wow!
I have been assessing ethiopian jewels and so far have failed to find any "refined" techniques beside grannulation or cloisonne filgree....i mean no enamel or cabachons...
Are you aware of any that have been produced beside that of the nobility?
Hi Alaa eddine Sagid,
Glad you appreciate the beautiful fillegrain wedding ring. As far as I know Ethiopia was not a country where they wear stones. No history of stone cutting. Only now they are overflowing the market with opals in all colors. when rings with stones became into fashion, the stone was brought in from abroad. This goes for nobility as well.
Ethiopian jewellery especially the highlanders is rather sober, just silver or later gold.
In the lowlands more copper,nickel, ivory,grass and leather.
Also enamel is or was an unknown factor. The women also did not use lipstick, highlanders used some cole for the eyes(trade brought in from India, and henna on the inside of their hands and footsoles.
But I certainly would not underestimate the work of the Ethiopian silversmiths. They are popular and famous for their gold work. Their refined fillegrain work deserves compliments, if one looks for the good work and willing to pay. They have beautiful crafted coptic crosses (Egyptians in the olden days love to have the ethiopian coptic crosses. The most skilful made silver beads of Ethiopia smooth without a soldering seam to be seen. I can go on and on.
Fashion in Ethiopia either in jewellery or clothing, is sober, not colorful, and also not worn in excess.
It goes with the culture also . But please do have a good look at their work and not at the touristic pieces. I am doing my best to show the Ethiopian worthy pieces as I showed on my photos, even the impressive large cresents, which are made in Ethiopia the ones I showed and not Yemen as people will want to claim. They can be seen on my display of photo albums.
Gr. Ingrid.
Yes, Ethiopian jewellery is certainly not flamboyant, but rather of a simple elegance as stated by Ingrid before. I would absolutely second her saying that the absence of cut stones and techniques such as enamelling has cultural reasons rather than a lack of refined skill.
I also used to think that a lot of pieces are rather coarsely done, but as everywhere you have to look a bit longer to find good quality work, and it can be found, even today! Ingrid's collection has been a revelation in terms of what great quality pieces can be found, though as in other regions too, it's getting more and more difficult.