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.

Levant? Amulets and Coin Necklace

Please ID this beauty. A necklace or pectoral of chains, old coins, silver-set ceramic beads, capped glass beads, and a central tube amulet. The coins range in date from 1624(!!!) to 1909, with the majority in the 1830s-40s. The 1624 coin is from Poland, a 1/4 Thaler from the reign of Sigismund III Vasa. The rest are Ottoman, and one abstract one unidentified. The overall feeling of this piece makes me think Levant, but I could be wrong and it is from elsewhere in the Ottoman world. Comments are most appreciated.Dimensions:163 grams
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Comments

  • A truly wonderful and complete piece.

    During my last trip in south Turkey near the Syrian border i saw heaps of these blue ceramic amulets on sale at the local jewelry market, i also spotted them but in a lesser number in north western Iran (Irani Azerbaidjan)

    But i am aware that these amulets in this color were quite widespread in the region.

    The coins dates are outstanding and the presence of a Polish coin is likely relevant to the passage of a polish pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem? We could surmize on a more western levantine origin, but coins do travel a lot!

    how about the chain?

  • A beautify indeed Lynn. I would agree to Alaa and your analysis that this necklace is from the levant during the Ottoman Empire rule. I know that the blue ceramic charms are also used in different Palestinian types of necklaces. The chain seems to be palestinian as well,it's reffered to as a "znag" . I am not sure if It was always made in Jerusalem or in Aleppo as well but for sure widely used in Palestine and some parts of jordan (comes in different thicknesses ).the nicely done central piece could ve been Syrian but the coins - including the polish - are present in lots of Palestinian jewlery and hats. Am only not sure about the red glass caped pieces, I only saw them once on a Palestine necklace. I would say either Palestinian or a second guess is syrian - Aleppo area! Buts a beautiful piece despite of the origin Lynn. Br
  • Another fantastic find, Lynn! Congrats, Betty

  • The blue faience beads are referred to in Europe as lochscheiben. I have it from a reputable source that they are used to convey fertility.

    I can`t see the construction of the chain properly but it looks like the type often used in Tunisia and also the Levant.

    A lovely necklace!

  • Alaa, Sami, Betty, and Frankie, thank you so much for your comments and sharing your knowledge.  It sounds like the consensus is that this is from somewhere in the Levant, with Kurdish Iraq, Palestine, and Syria as the leading contenders.  This is a very carefully made and carefully repaired necklace.  There are parts of the silver belcher chain which have been repaired with copper, which has been carefully made to the exact same size as the silver parts.  Someone really loved it. 

  • So easy to love loved pieces!

    More lochscheiben here2463558935?profile=RESIZE_1024x10242463558819?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • So gorgeous, Frankie!  Your necklace is spectacular!  Is it Iraqi?  I found this similar necklace on Pinterest, identified as from Iraq. 

    f52be01fcbc3f30a54563259ed8cefe8.jpg

  • Here is the whole necklace, Lynn.2506000672?profile=originalIt has been said to have come from the Levant, possibly Syria. My seller said she found it in a Texan charity shop!

    If you are interested in the comments it gathered when I first posted it, you can find them with the first photo of it (not this one) on page 8 of my own photos. I have rediscovered it after thinking it, along with others of my favourites, had been taken in error to the local rubbish tip!

  • That necklace is a real stunner, Frankie.  It would be interesting to get Peter's opinion on its origins.  I can't imagine thinking it had accidentally gone into the trash.  That would be the loss of a true ethnographic artifact!  I am currently experiencing my first customs disaster which if UPS cannot find the package will lose a matched pair of Rashaida cuffs.  I am more anxious about the destruction of the cuffs than I am about the loss of any money.  :(  

  • Horrible thought....you losing the cuffs...Hopefully its only a delay...Look forward to seeing the cuffs when they eventually arrive.

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