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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A dazzling and intriguing piece, Peter! But I must admid that I am clueless...
The stones look like they are fire-polished...what do you mean by insertions, please?
Maybe it would also help to know the dimensions and the material. Is it silver (gilded? or brass?). Is it a belt or a headdress? So many questions.
Kind regards, Betty
Dear Betty; Many thanks for your message. Well, the piece is around 20cm wide and 4.5cm high. It seems silver with gilding. The stones feature different insertions. Some feature somehow gold leaves while others feature complete insertions - almost like fireworks. I initially thought that it might be a head decoration but then it could also be an upper arm band.... Regards. Peter
It looks as if the photo might be upside down, Peter. Could it be worn on the head ... as a diadem, perhaps?
This is definetely a diadem, the photo is upside down
The overall construction is that of diadems common to Greece, Thrace and northern turkey as well as armenia (but at large as a historic definition, not to its present political borders, which would cover then large parts of central and eastern anatolia)
IMHO, some features may be related to late andalucian designs, such as "tulip" shaped embossed patterns which may date to the late nasrid kingdom of Granada before it fell to the catholic castillans. One can still find them in parts of Morocco as well
I have seen similar diadems before (but with much more detailed work such as filgreed applique or dangles) coming from either Greece (C.F. benaki museum) or Armenia (C.F. Saint petersburg museum of former U.S.S.R ethnicities)
Dear All: Many thanks for your messages. It definitely makes sense as a diadem - I have rotated the photo. Thank you all for the input. Peter
Peter, the metal work and way of setting the stones reminds me strongly of silver pieces from Egypt which I have assumed were made for the tourist market in the first half of the 20th century. However, instead of glass stones they usually have turquoise, lapis, coral, and other cabochon stones. Here are a few examples.
From Michael Halter https://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/necklace-from-egypt-with-iranian...
From pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/pin/405816616392346049/
A pair of earrings of the same design that belong to me. Even if they are not ethnographic I love them because they pair well with my ethnic pieces. From the 1920s
I agree with Lynn, Peter, though I just came across a cuff that instantly reminded me of your diadem. It's supposed to be from Iran, but I am not sure if the necklace below is Egyptian...
If it's Iranian that would bring it into the neighbourhood of Armenia as one of the possible origin's Alaa suggested...Am I still making sense?
Oh, I forgot the link:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/871836-RLx20-373/WIDE-Iran-Gold-Gilt-S...
Great find Betty. I am not good with marks but I think the hallmarks on the bracelet may be Egyptian. Looks like Alexandria and 1935/36?
@Betty,
the bracelet quoted as Iranian actually bears egyptian hallmarks!
It belongs to the same family as that of Lynn's pieces.
Some kind of early revival? Quite theaterish, opera costume jewelry in some aspects, possibly as early as the art nouveau period?
Now, i have to correct my first thoughts, seeing the similarities. Peter's pieces must be from the same group. Reassessing the size, it could very well be a bracelet.
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