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.

Necklace - Ottoman

This is a magnificent Ottoman necklace. the box can be opened at the top. The chain is the same as used in jewelry in Palestine. However, it does not originate from there. I assume that it is from Turkey itself. If anyone has more information, please let me know.
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Comments

  • A stunner, congratulations

  • I really love this, Peter.

    If I had time I would really love to research into the connection between Ottoman jewellery and ethnic jewellery in the South East of Central Europe (i.e. the Czech Republic, Bavaria and Austria) and parts of Eastern Europe. The setting of the colourful stones in delicate filigree work reminds me a lot of traditional pieces worn in for example in Austria or Bohemia.

  • Dear Betty; Many thanks for your comments. Well, the Ottomans have pretty much occupied the entire Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan) and part of Saudi Arabia plus North Africa, a lot of Eastern Europe and of course also Spain, etc.. They were an extremely powerful colonial might and therefore, left their imprint, designs, food, etc. lasting until today. Bulgaria was as well colonialized by the Ottoman, producing among others magnificent jewelry. There were some villages or cities in Bulgaria that produced jewelry not only for the Bulgarian imperial court but for many European countries, such as Austria, Italy, etc. etc.. All these are the main reasons, why you can see the influence of the Ottomans in so many countries. I have travelled extensively in my life and must say that in my opinion the Ottoman culture and especially also jewelry is by far the most elegant of all. The designs and the quality of the execution is mind blowing and the European influence during the last part of the Ottoman empire made everything even more exciting. By the way, many European countries are looking down on Bulgaria, being rather poor and under developed. In fact, Bulgaria was once a mighty power, reaching far to the east and was ruled by an Imperial family. With kind regards. Peter

  • Dear Peter:

    Just beautiful piece with a very high standard work. All parts of this necklace were done in a perfect and artistic work, the filigree, the stones etc. It is a rael museum piece . Magnificent Congratulations Peter

  • Bulgaria is one of my favorite ethnic melting pots. The diversity of ethnic costume and jewelry is very diverse.  I have four very good volumes on the costume and jewelry and it is both archaic in design and as well very continental and advanced from the point of court style that mimics that of other western cultures.  The combination of all of these areas with the heavy Islamic and Ottoman designs makes for a rich and very significant culture. There is even a group that mimics very closely the style of Kham Tibetan Nomads , the similarity of dress. some of the jewelry and hair design also shows an overlap to Asia .  

  • I can only agree with the praise bestowed by others. A wonderful piece! I wonder whether Armenia would be another possible country of origin? But Bulgaria and Turkey are often also very close in style (unsurprisingly, as in the case of Armenia).

  • This is spectacular Peter, congratulations!!  This necklace shows the best qualities of Ottoman-influenced jewelry:  simultaneous delicacy and opulence.  I love it. 

    Recently there has been an eBay seller from Israel who has been offering necklaces of this style.  The latest is ID 261766678682

  • I find myself also thinking associatively of this piece, which I posted here sometime ago after we bought it from Linda: https://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/great-azerbaijan-chest-piece-lat...

  • But, all in all, I'd think "Turkish" - i.e. Bulgaria-Turkey-Armenia - rather than "Caucasian".

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