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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Found these on a trip to Sousse. Antique versions are very pricey, but I managed an excellent price on these "vintage" earrings since I purchased them damaged (missing 2 pearls with damaged wires on the dangles). They were expertly restored by Mr. Mnouchi in the Tunis medina.
Very nice, they remind me of old colonial Mexican earrings from Oaxaca, of which many reproductions are made.
These also remind me of some Russian earrings I have seen , it is so interesting, would not have known they were Tunisian.
I am not surprised that these are similar to earrings from other places. Eudel suggests Portugese and Italian influences, but I think the Ottoman influences may also be at work. In any case, there is a definite similarity between antique European, colonial and traditional urban Tunisian jewelry. These sorts of pieces really intrigued me...previous to my arrival in Tunis I had only known about the massive silver bracelets and fibulae. Discovering delicate filigree and strings of pearls was something I did not anticipate. While I personally prefer the chiseled silver, I like to collect these other types of pieces because they have surprised me.
Hi Edith,
You did well to buy them. I didnt comment at the beginning because they didnt look Tunisian to me but since Eudel mentioned them they are worth a second look! (he is my bible and I am expecting 2 of his books from Amazon thanks to your and Johanne's tips). I probably dont like urban jewelry as much as I do ethnic rural/tribal one but these are borderline with a hint of Western and Ottoman touch. And the more I look at them the more I like them. Another great find.
Thanks Chantal....I agree that I often personally prefer the jewelry that is not as heavily influenced by external contact, but the urban stuff has piqued my curiousity. And I like to challenge people's existing perceptions about this part of the world! I think it is interesting to consider urban pieces within their larger historic context (trade, politics, immigration, colonization, etc), and I think it adds to the picture of Tunisia as a complex and diverse society.
By the way does "Mengouesha" mean anything?
Chantal: I am sure it does, but don't know what it means. This is another subject for my continuing research....