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.

Quran or amulet holder

This an oddity in the berber jewelry world, the body is definetely north african but it was imported in france where a clever smith has "stamped" acanthus leaves on both sides and it was kept ever since in a militaria collection, maybe also used as a cigaretts case!! Still trying to find out where exactely it comes from but i shows a very moroccan feel to it
Read more…
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • Ayis, I have a Qing chinese piece that is obviously made from a metal applique for furniture that has been turned into a lock pendant, will post a photo soon.

  • Great Hillary, i d love to see it.

    I always like to see in whatnew shapes time and travels have turned old pieces into, always enriching and interesting

  • Can the acanthus been applied later on a Maroccan piece? The work is so different. Is it solthered on top of the box?

  • actually it has been pressed against a matrix (a sort of a three dimensionnal mold to create the outer relief), but the original construction i doubt it contained the acanthus since the side engravings are typical of north africa and even the overall shape is that of an amulet holder

  • just to add that there must be a gap time between the first engravings and the addition of the acanthus, surely it was reworked to make it attractive for a potential european market!!

    For example many original old ethnic brooches, fibulas, bracelets, earrings have been transformed very early (especially in algeria which became a french territory in 1830's) to suit the european taste

    And everyone remember the massacre of kabyle anklets which were transformed into boxes and ather bracelets into ashtrays, when they were plenty of them and not enough of US!!!

  • And all the Indian beautiful bracelets and anklets transformed to ahstrays too! A shame!

  • Actually, when all is said and done, ayis, I do like this!!

This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Adorned Histories to add comments!

Join Adorned Histories

Request your copy of our newsletter.

If you would like to receive our newsletter

Click here