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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There is a story to this jewel. This was in a Connecticut estate auction in October of last year. At the time I was not even sure it was an iznaq, as the pictures were awful and it was so much more ornate than any example I had seen at that time. But, I fell in love with it and participated in the live auction online. I got into a bidding war with a person who was physically present, just him and me, and in the end I lost my nerve. At the time I was OK with it, I thought I was being fiscally responsible. But I never stopped thinking about this piece and over time I developed deep regret over not bidding higher. In March of this year, the original buyer decided to sell it and by pure luck I was able to purchase it. So this is the necklace that got away, and then came back!
I have been collecting photos of women wearing similarly ornate chin-chains. These two are not exact, but they are the closest. This necklace is probably 19th century.
What a wonderful story Lynn. It shows that you and the piece were meant to be together!
Thank you Hillary! I did feel like this was fate. :)
Wonderful piece and the fact that you know all about it and its history makes it even more valuable as a heritage piece. Congratulations for this nice piece and thanks for posting it Lynn.
A great story and a very beautiful jewel. Congrats, Lynn!
Enjoy wearing it (perhaps not as a chin-chain - though I imagine that would arouse considerable attention :-))
Thank you Mustafa and Betty! Luckily the chin chains are always wearable as necklaces, and there are some historical photos that do show women wearing them as necklaces for a change of pace. :) Though Betty, this is going to arouse some attention no matter what, because it is wonderful and huge!
Congratulations Lynn. This is a really beautiful version on the Bethlehem "Iznaq ", one of the best I have seen. In local language, it is called the "7 souls Iznag" referring to the seven chains which make up this necklace. I once had a very similar one but unfortunately I was tempted to sell it! This one –with the cross in the middle- was typically worn by Christian women while ones with a floral centre piece were worn by Muslim women. I would highly advise you to hold on tight to this piece as it is a truly iconic jewel and considered the crown of all Palestinian jewelry. Br
Beautiful chain Lynn! nice story too.. There is a white flower called Star of Bethlehem (ornithogalum umbellatum) In spring you can see them on the plains of Syria and Palestine. But I don't think this is the flower on your chain, because it has 6 flowerleaves , the flower on the pendant has more. And the green leaves are different.
Thank you Johanne and Sami! Sami, I agree with you. I might never get another opportunity to have such a beautiful and elaborate iznaq, and I hope to keep this for the rest of my life. Do you have more Palestinian jewelry that you might share photos of?
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