Hoops1

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.

Hoops1

Posted by Betty on May 30, 2015 at 2:14pm

Hoop earring from Libya (teklila)? Lovely stamping. I believe to make out part of a Tripolis hallmark, but am not sure... Does anyone happen to know what kind of stamps were used to decorate these? Maybe Mustafa can advise?

Comments

Mustafa J. Salem May 30, 2015 at 6:23pm

Dear Betty: These are very nice and beautiful earrings that look also quite old. I could recognize the parts of Tripoli Municipality Hall Marks which you referred to in your comments. The rest restis hard to identify for sure, but it looked to me more like Arabic numbers which may indicate dates . But as the stamps are not very clear it is hard to be certain about these marks. Alaa may be able to give more information on these marks. Needless to say that you got a very interesting and beautiful pair of an old LIBYAN silver.
Betty May 30, 2015 at 6:30pm

Thank you so much, Mustafa, both for your help and your kind words. This is already much more information than I ever hoped to get! These earrings were both by the previous owner in the 1970 or early 1980s, same as the bangles I showed earlier. Again, many thanks.
Mustafa J. Salem May 30, 2015 at 6:42pm

Good to hear that Betty. The earrings are older than that time for sure. One good reason; in Libya we switched from 'Old Indian Numbers' to the use of 'Arabic Numbers.. 1.2.3...etc'. Therefore as these have old " Indian Numbers" therefore they must be quite old when they were purchased by the previous owner.. This is just a note from my memory to the historical events regarding changes of the numbers which help here to make some association to time 'approximate' on what is stamped on the earrings.. Thank you for posting these nice items to see.
Betty May 30, 2015 at 7:18pm

I did not know that. How exciting!

I found a picture of a lady on pinterest. Looks like she is wearing two of these Earrings in the upper ear, but I am not sure:
ingrid Langerak May 30, 2015 at 7:51pm

Betty they are lovely, they come over so simple but delicate. Good eye.! You know that also in the northern part of Eritrea specially around Kassala towards the Sudan they wear earrings in the upper part of one ear, also in Harrar. ( They are connected through history similar way of clothing as well.). Gr. Ingrid.
Betty May 30, 2015 at 11:01pm

Thank you Ingrid. You are right, and the earrings worn by the Beni Amer and Tigre are actually quite similar. Warm regards, betty
Lynn Ardent May 31, 2015 at 4:46am

Very sweet earrings and I love the photograph of the woman. Congratulations Betty.

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Hoops1

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