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.

extremely old Hairpin Ethiopia 2

I have never had an item so dirty and so crusted like this one. It is an old hairpin from Northern Ethiopia, Tigray or Welo. I am trying to get it into a better condition. Length of the pin 11cm, the needle is definitely silver, the rest I do not know yet. At first I just rinsed it with plain water which turned into Brown. It must have been lying in earth or sand for years. Now I am trying slowly to clean it more.
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  • I find its all good/beautiful so now!
  • @Thank you Akkie, so far it has not changed much (from the further cleaning...). If I get some success, I might Show a picture.  The pin and the dangles are probably silver, while the head (the mushroom part) seems to be iron. Very hard to get it clean (seems impossible........) I have tried the silver cleaning paste, toothpaste, Baking soda-Lemon mixture, Coca Cola, other household cleaning liquids.........no results at all. My plan was to get it clean and then put some varnish on it to Keep it from developing oxide again. But as said, the first step was without success so far.

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