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 -1

This hairpin is from Northern Ethiopia, either Tigray or Welo. I have never had an item so dirty and old like this one. I am still trying to get it into a better condition. At the beginning, it was just Brown water that came out when rinsed. It must have been lying in earth or sand for years.
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Comments

  • I have  only seen silver hairpins,  the bells on this one look to me very solid silver, so I cannot imagine the head being anything else. The soil in those areas is full of red ocre ore. I cannot remember having seen dirt it this color red,  I have been thinking if henna  could have been of influence, because the women of Tigrai and Eritrea rub henna root on the inner hands and soles  and heel of their feet. A jeweller uses a copper wired brush to clean and polish ( copper brushes used for suede has the same softness). Good luck.

  • @Thank you, Ingrid, for your comments here and on some other Pictures. Unfortuntely I did not advance in getting it better. I heard it has been lying in dirt for years and years. Perhaps at some time I will start treating it again........ at the Moment I am a Little fed up with it. But I might look around for such a brush.

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