Gallery

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.

Photo on 2013-09-13 at 13.18

Posted by ingrid Langerak on September 13, 2013 at 1:09pm

A collection of different bracelets. The three upper left from Harrar town, they do decorate their pieces quite ornate so also their clothes very colored full shawls and silk trousers. The middle one from Jimma, & Wolega en Wollo. More sober. an engagement bangle and extremele heavy made of saved and melted down Maria Theresa thalers. The front right one is a lovely Wollo bracelet depending how wealthy the donator is(was) because they are in all sorts, from almost nickel to high quality silver, so also the workmanship can be beautiful or not so skilledly done.

Comments

Eva Baby September 14, 2013 at 7:02pm

they are all gorgeous!!!! great collection!!!
ingrid Langerak September 14, 2013 at 7:57pm

Thank you Eva, so exciting that it is being so appreciated. I love Ethiopian pieces, because they are a lot more sober. But when the work is superb and a good quality silver has been used there aura is so beautiful.
Harald September 16, 2013 at 10:39am

I love those solid wood headrests! The bracelet on the right looks a lot like South Egyptian ones. But jewelry travels a lot.
Marie-Ange September 18, 2013 at 9:19pm

do you clean your silver much? it all looks so shiny and new...
Alaa eddine SAGID September 18, 2013 at 9:23pm

@Marie-Ange

I was about to make the same comment about the very bright shiny silver, probably a very thourough cleaning.

@Harald

These bracelets seem to be common in a huge area across eastern africa, from south egypt towards ethiopia acrosse Sudan and erythrea!
ingrid Langerak September 18, 2013 at 10:50pm

Like you wrote a thorough cleaning when bought 1980 about, boiling with detergent and salt, the reason because I do not like the dirt on them and also for hygienic purpose, special with beads and telsums because these are meant to be worn again by the next owner. And the warmth do not lay in the dirt but the softness silver gets when worn. These pieces actually haven.t been toughed for at least 8 years they were stored in a box with paper, no oxidising. Gr. Ingrid.
Marie-Ange September 18, 2013 at 11:11pm

@Ingrid, I think it is a pitty you cleaned them so shiny as they lack of caracter from previous owners now but that is my opinion, would never buy it like this.
ingrid Langerak September 18, 2013 at 11:27pm

Marie-Ange, if the shiny state bothers you all one has to do is let it be in the open air and it oxidizes again. The wear of the piece remains except the dirt is missing. But I respect your opinion (as I know several others with you) and do not worry if you get interested for sure you will find a piece which is to your liking.
Harald September 20, 2013 at 9:56pm

It takes ages to get real old silver patine back on a to much cleaned old piece. To take the real dirt of (skin fat, dust, sand, even food particles etc ) only use warm water with some soap and leave it over night. The yucky parts will have fallen off or can be picked out by a wooden tooth pick. Rinse and clean with soft brush. The silver patine stays.
ingrid Langerak September 20, 2013 at 10:24pm

Harald thank you for your cleaning tip.