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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Comments
Nice selection Toya.
Could it be possible to know why we are all attracted to Khamasas, i Don't know of any moroccan ethnic jewelry collector's who is not hooked to these pendants and there are many collectors who only buy and collect khamsas!!
I think that for me the talismanic aspect is appealing.
I feel that these are a very personal piece of jewellery, and that this resonates with many people who appreciate jewels.
I feel that they have a simple yet powerful almost iconic aspect to them
Another of your interesting questions!
For anyone interested in the civilisations of North Africa the khamsas are the richest symbols of all their dimensions : geographical, sociological, historical, ethnographic, religious, artistic, spiritual etc.........I dont think it would be possible to exhaust all their meanings and/ or characteristics. And for this reason they represent different aspects to different people and people may probably like them for different reasons...Its a question of identity (the identity of North africa and its many historical/religious layers) and in that way their richness of meaning is inhexaustible.
Personally I privilege the spiritual (popular sufism,animism etc.) and artistic aspects............other people would privilege or be more sensitive to different associations......
Fantastic collection. Difficult to see so many beautiful pieces together.