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
Frankie, what a beautiful carving!! Where did you get this one from? Do you know which part of Africa it came from?
beautiful and special bracelet. i m as thelma, curious to know from wich area in africa. it is unusual for me as african art.
splendid
Thanks both, I think it`s pretty wonderful, too.
Faouzi couldn`t tell me more of its` origin than that he found it in a N. Sahara market. He did tell me the name of the place but it`s completely gone from my head. I think it`s quite a well known market.
But that doesn`t tell us where it originally comes from.
Looking at it, the colour does seem to be that of African ivory though some of it is dyed, most likely with a brown henna dye. Somehow doesn`t seem to be Indian though.
a friend says it is from youruba in nigeria, they have the ram as symbol and we find it in their work. even in congo and central africa. i agree completly with him but the way it is engraved is new for me as african art.
no doubt, a sensationel piece
Fantastic information as usual, a o. But, oh dear, the fact that you don`t recognise the carving style might mean that it`s not so old.
Well, if so, at least my "sin" was unwitting....
Very original. Like the color very much.
An interestting looking bracelet, but I do not believe this to be a traditional bracelet. It looks like a copy of the Greek silver ramshead bracelets. I suspect it to be an individual order (most probably an expatriate) they (like myself when I living in Ethiopia) used the local skill and place an combination order. Also Like the colonial furnitures from the Far East, because of the beautiful woods . Also as far as I know Ivory has a protective function. It is the wife of the hunter who wears the piece of the ivory from the hunted animal. It is the braveness of the hunter'spirits which has the element of protection.
How interesting, Ingrid! I am truly indebted to you for this information. And to the amazing lady who set up this site (Hi, Pussycat!). She`s one in a million!
Ingrid, this could be the explanation to my puzzlement over this. I`m so happy to have this facilty for discussion here. It has worldwide furthered the knowledge of our combined interests.
Yes, Jose. It was the mellow colour which originally drew me to it. I cannot think that there would be two of these.
Faouzi, why did you have it hidden away in a drawer?
My best tip to ethnic jewellery hunters - always ask what`s in drawers and in old tins outside the back of the shop!
Ingrid - you`re a whizz!
the yellow color is a sign of old ivory, thered colors comes later on.
i think ingrid brought an interesting info it is possibl that some costumer made it as order.
as african worcmanship, we should actualy recognise it imediatly and it is not the case .
african artists will engrave it a bit rough,the horn bigger and bot so round, the woll with parallel lignes. i imagine
How I do love a mystery.....!
None of this is red, although the photo makes it seem so. It only has shades of yellow and brown.
Maybe old ivory carved later?