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.

I need help in identifying this piece.

I don't even remember buying this item, but it was probably in Saudi Arabia in the 70's.I'm finding all sorts of odd things in the attic.
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Comments

  • Cannot help, but what luck you have to find "all sorts of odd things in the attic"!!! Very nice and very unusual with the two sticks in the middle!!!

  • I believe the "sticks in the middle" are personal cleaning items, i.e. ear cleaner (spoon) and nails, worn by men in Ethiopia and India either around the neck or in their pockets.

  • Ann, you could be right, as one of them looks ending like an earspoon (as I know them from Ethiopia).

  • the drop shaped pendants are definetely made following patterns, shapes and designs which were common from southern egypt to northern sudan and parts of the african horn red sea coast, you could even find it in eastern Chad among the closely related arab, zaghawa and tubu tribes

    The middle tools showcase a strong central saharan smithing techniques with a very naive touch in the form of the sword, which must have been used as a fingernail cleaner (the other tool was probably an ear cleaner)

    As Said by Ann and Eva, this is definetely a grooming set widely in use in the area but the most intriguing part are the coloured beaded cabs!!!

    My feeling is anywhere from western Sudan to eastern Chad

    Red stone Coral?

    Please Eileen, check out more and more space in your house, it seems your are living in ali baba's cave!!

  • Beautiful pieces!  I have seen many versions of these personal grooming tools, in fact will be posting a photo of a Kuchi set soon.  This particular example is lovely!

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