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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For me, this piece is interesting because it represents a particular group of asyks engraved with quite abstract symbols arranged in patterns which are sometimes difficult to discern. The patterns on this one include the water sign ... an elongated S. But there are arrows too and other shapes, all arranged very precisely by a master of the art.
Anna
Thanks Anna. I think it takes special skill to engrave this type of design accurately. You know the right side of the asyk is supposed to be a mirror image of the left. (So the mirror image of 'b' is 'd' and a copy of 'b' is 'b') I can remember discussing this many months ago in regard to one of Joost's asyks.
In this asyk the engraver has expertly captured the mirror image of one side on the other. But I've now seen many asyks of this type where the engraver has given up and has simply copied the design from one side to the other ... or has even decided not to make the attempt and has introduced something of his own .... may a little trefoil. They all seem to have found uses amongst the local population.
Dear Thelma. This is very interesting indeed. Many thanks for your posting. The Asyk is great too Anna - Congratulations. Peter
I had never noticed the mirror image design on the face of the several asyks we once had in our collection. I only have one very old one still available. The engraving has become worn so faint that it would be difficult to discern how the decoration was handled. Thank you for all this very important information, Thelma.
Anna
After looking at this photo for a while, I wondered if maybe the engraver used the technique that a modern engraver would use in order to make one side the mirror image of the other. For example, the thin appliqué over the silver base would be in two pieces shaped as chambers of the heart in this case. The pieces would be stacked face to face or back to back. The engraving would be done through both thin layers. When the engraving is finished, we open up the panels and Voila! we have a mirror image! Then the thin cut-out appliqué can be applied to the base. Just wondering....
Anna
That's interesting Anna. I have often wondered how the mirror image could be reproduced and whether it was done with some sort of template or simply by eye. In some cases, where the 'target', (the mirror image) was not achieved, the engraver was probably not in possession of any of these techniques. But what were they? Certainly, if you made a mistake with the complicated detail of the pattern it was a Big Problem.
Ah! Looking now more closely at the design, I can see at least one discrepancy between the left and the right. Does this mean something or is it an error? Very well disguised.
This is a very beautiful and large asyk. I particularly like your description of the carnelians as sultry. :) Congratulations Thelma and thank you for the information.
Fantastic piece! So very beautiful. Congrats!
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