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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Was this bracelet recently on eBay? Very lovely, indeed Frankie! I've also heard that Lapis Lazuli was used in the enamel, which makes sense when one looks at it's opaqueness.
Yes it was, Hillary. I made a cheeky offer and was surprised and delighted to find I was successful. One of the fascinating qualities of this blue enamel is that it positively glows, almost flouresces, in daylight but under electric light it darkens considerably.
Somewhere in my Bookmarks I have some nice illustrated information on Multan generally. It also has reference to this enamel. I`ll try to dig it out.
Glad your offer was accepted! I, too considered making an offer, but I think that I would have dismembered the bracelet for use in projects, and I don't think I would have had the heart to break apart a piece this lovely, so I declined making an offer! I believe that this piece is marked "Multan" on the back, which leads me to believe that this was for sure made for the export market. This piece can assist us in the discussion of two differing styles of jewelry which have both been presented as Multan. This is emblematic in many ways of what is most certainly traditional work from Multan. What a great piece!
Hillary, you are right about the bracelet being marked as Multan. For which reason I`m sure, like you, it was made for export. Even if it weren`t marked as such it is of the type which is generally recognised as coming from Multan. I`m pretty sure I wont be breaking it up - I don`t think I`d have the skill to make its parts up into anything which would do it justice.
I don`t either have sufficient experience in the field to date it. You may remember that the seller marked it as antique. I doubt that it`s that.
It is gorgeous Frankie, well done, great find!! no please don't break it up as it will look wonderful on your other wrist wearing the other enamel bracelet with the ring!
Maybe Amir can help us with info if these are still beeing made now or that it is at least vintage. As I don't see any enamel loss I would rule out antique too but no matter how old it is a beauty and you are a lucky women!!
This is indeed very clearly a Multan piece, and it is interesting to have the mark as well. Yes, I agree with the view that this would have been made for export; also that it is not particularly old; and that in any case it is very attractive. The colour does not, in this instance, suggest the use of lapis to me, but I would not want to be dogmatic. I do like the very intense blue greatly in any case. Quite a "sizzler"! I certainly would leave it intact, and I can entirely understand why you proceeded to make an offer and buy, Frankie!
Thinking further, I do find myself wondering about the composition of the enamel, as it is of so intense a colour. So I am going to keep an open mind about it until we know more, if more can be found out! It's a colour that lingers on in the mind well after one has turned away from it. Marvellous!
http://unesco.org.pk/culture/documents/publications/Cultural_Expres...
The above may be of interest to anyone who has an interest in the Cultural Expressions of South Punjab - wonderful info. and pics of architecture, tiles, textiles, jewellery etc.
Check out the camel`s haircut!
Is there anyone here, besides Amir who lives there, who has had experience of the area?
A great document, Frankie. Thanks very much for posting. I am rather hoping that, as your splendid piece is unequivocally Multan, Amir will be able to inform you about the composition of the enamel, or, if he does not know, will be able to refer you to someone who does! And I think that many of us are quite curious, so it would be great if we can find out .....