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Comments

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  Ethnic Embellishments June 4, 2011 at 5:11am

  Isabel, this is gorgeous!  Which part of India is this from and which group would have worn it:?
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  Isabel Iglesias June 4, 2011 at 8:55am

  Hillary...so many years ago, I have bought this belt that I have forgotten from which area it comes... but I wll try to find out or if one of the members can answer, I will be grateful!
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  Alaa eddine SAGID June 4, 2011 at 12:13pm

  i have found a non complete one (only buckle) in morocco years ago and i was intrigued .

   

  i did many researches and found that it comes from muslim women of Kerala state in south India
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  Isabel Iglesias June 4, 2011 at 1:48pm

  Thank you Ayis! I think you're right...it's from Kerala!!
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  Joost Daalder June 5, 2011 at 3:06am

  As usual, ayis is right: this belt is indeed from Kerala. I would imagine it to have a high silver content, too, and these belts are superbly made. They were worn by Muslim women, and they are called "arapatta". It probably dates early-mid 20th c. Another example, with an extra "panel" at each end, is shown and described in my wife's book: *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment* (2009, see www.ethnicartpress.com.au for further info), on p. 321 (a very large photo) and described further on p. 310.
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  Isabel Iglesias June 5, 2011 at 9:00am

  Thank you Joost! I don't have the book but I am going to try to buy it...Sorry,I don't have Facebook!