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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WOW. These are spectacular and I have never seen them before. Well done! Are you sure they are pocket watch chains vs. head ornaments? I am just wonderful about the turtle as a fertility symbol and whether this would be worn by a woman vs. a man.
Peter, I have found a reference for these gorgeous pieces. Here is one attributed as Iraqi by Musee De Quai Branly and acquired in 1935.
http://collections.quaibranly.fr/#71e22e2f-7afd-4593-9be7-3810b1938f73
Dear Lynn and Peter, This is wonderful, I believe that I have some of these in low silver. I had no idea what they were.....
WOW. Lynn, you are amazing! Well Done! These are very rare pieces and absent from the market. You know, I purchase usually my items through the same dealer in Amman. They are all from collections, hence, from people, who are selling their collections, which were amassed over years and decades and sometimes originate from their parents and grand parents. This is why I can get hold of very rare and unique pieces. I guess, that I am fortunate. Did you know that the Quai Branly Museum in Paris is buying their items, among others, from the same supplier as I? However, I have the good fortune to see the items first and also choose first... Nevertheless, they are buying great stuff for their museum! They are now after the Iraqi Kurdish items and bought the remainder of the collection from the Iraqi Kurdish lady, which I did not choose (there were simply too many belts and one can only have that many belts of one kind in ones collection, correct?). With kind regards. Peter
Dear Lynn and Hillary; By the way, I bought both items as Palestinian jewelry from my friend and dealer in Amman, who is very knowledgeable. However, it could very well be that they are also used in neighboring Kurdish Iraq. At the beginning, I thought of them as well to be head decorations. However, I was always wondering about the use of the fitting at the end, as it was meant to be to have something attached. Then, I came across an article, which mentioned them as pocket watch holders. Unfortunately, I did not keep the article and therefore, I am not able to give you the corresponding reference.
Dear Hillary, please cherish your pieces, they are wonderful and VERY RARE to come by!
With kind regards and best wishes. Peter
Peter, to me it looks as if has more European influence..
Dear Ingrid; You are absolutely correct. This would make sense, as the Ottomans were very influenced by Europe but at the same time, governed vast areas of the Middle East. With kind regards. Peter
Dear All,
I hope that you are doing fine.
Please find below a photo of such a chain, attached to an Ottoman pocket watch. With kind regards. Peter
Fascinating Peter. Can you tell if the jump ring that connects it to the watch has been cut or is smoothly soldered? I am just curious if this is the original configuration or rearranged by a dealer. On a lot of Levant jewelry every single ring will be soldered (unlike for example Yemeni jewelry where often they are just squeezed together even on 100% original pieces.)
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