Kabyle anklet - damaged beyond repair? - Gallery

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Kabyle anklet - damaged beyond repair?

Posted by Preethi on July 16, 2012 at 2:33pm

I'm looking at purchasing a pair of these anklets, but am uncertain about how much of the black stuff (whatever it is) can be cleaned. Any thoughts?

Comments

Preethi July 16, 2012 at 2:37pm

Another view.
Chantal July 16, 2012 at 2:55pm

Preethi, what on earth is the black stuff? Ink? Some sort of dye? Can your seller enlighten us? The enamel is good........I cant help with the cleaning......Ait is the specialist for cleaning tips (of Tuareg items). He may help with this one......Personally I know that I would buy it in spite of...... They are so rare and the last ones so expensive...) and then bring it to a professional restorer to see what can be done..lets see what people suggest.

or was it like that originally and people have tried to remove the black coating ....and given up? If its stains then some sort of acid should remove it?
Chantal July 16, 2012 at 2:58pm

it looks very old and the chased/engraved design is wonderful...........
ait ouakli July 16, 2012 at 3:14pm

hummm. funy piece
ait ouakli July 16, 2012 at 3:20pm

i posted one without enamel. they are always broken because they are not silver and it was a time when the smith where using some coins with alluminium part, so the metall gets broken later on.

this coral irritet me, it looks like someone trying to make this piece older than it is.

preethy, sorry but i m honnest in my comments

https://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/img-0651?context=user#!/photo/khalkhal?context=user

ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/img-0651?context=user#!/photo/khalkhal?context=user
Alaa eddine SAGID July 16, 2012 at 4:33pm

metal axydation, takes time and loads of energy (hand rubbing with a cloth) to get rid of some of these black stains.....sometimes in vain
Chantal July 16, 2012 at 7:17pm

I know nothing about metals.so here is a (probably ) stupid question.........Why did it oxidise in such a mottled erratic way? Or is it that the owner had already tried in parts what you suggested (rub it off)?
Preethi July 16, 2012 at 8:11pm

Thanks everyone. Ait, honest comments are much appreciated. There's no other way to learn :) The seller only knows that his father picked it up in Algeria in the 60's and would also like more information on them. He also said they were repaired in the late 80's - early 90's, but is checking about what those repairs entailed.

Ayis, any thoughts on the silver content? Would there be any silver at all? If not, would the method of cleaning still be the same (rubbing with a cloth)?

Also, any thoughts on provenance? There's a similar anklet attributed to Beni-Yenni in Farida Benouniche's book. Could these be from there?
Harald July 17, 2012 at 8:19pm

Black (bluish?) can be cleaned most of the time if the material is a silver mix, the crack is worse. What are those pieces of metal placed over the rim at the top and at the bottom? Are they the repairs you write about done in the 80's or 90's? Very badly done, not done by a silversmith.

Does any one know about that little star in the middle of one of the stones? That looks more like far eastern way of setting a stone in a bezel.

The pattern looks nice!
Chantal July 17, 2012 at 10:08pm

I dont know what you are going to decide Preethi but my advice -for what its worth- would be to buy them -cheap!- (so few left..........) then get a professional to salvage it as best as poss. I find the design beautiful..........