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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Another view of the necklace that went for close to 300 dollars in an ebay auction yesterday. There are a couple of very desirable silver beads on this, but could it be that it was amber that drove the price up?
The same seller had another wonderful Saudi bedouin piece that went for close to 400 dollars. Again the amber?
Dear Preethi; Thank you for this posting. As with all the jewelry items, they have to appeal to someone, fit into someone's collection and/or are great to wear. A particular jewelry item might be perceived by some as more valuable than by others. Therefore, it is quite difficult to say what exactly drove the price up. If I really want a particular piece available for sale, I may be prepared to pay more than the market value as the value for me is much greater. Anyhow, both pieces are really nice. I prefer though the below pendant - it is fantastic and has really lived. With kind regards. Peter
Very true, Peter. The value of a piece is what one is willing to pay for it. I was under the impression that Saudi pieces are sort of under-the-radar and was surprised to see these go for the price. Thought I would post also as these don't always come up for sale and are of interest.
Thank you for posting these Preethi. Interesting for sure. I haven't seen either before, so thank you for that. I am just not sure of the necklace's authenticity. Something about it is not quite right. Would love to hear from others.
Nada, thank you for voicing my thoughts. I did put in a bid but not among the higher ones because I felt there was something just a bit off - perhaps the chain and hook. But then again, I'm not an expert and operate mainly on gut instinct, which is not a reliable judge.
There are a number of beautiful elements in the necklace nevertheless including some lovely silver beads.
Second your toughts about the original integrity of the necklace, there are obvious flaws to the traditional designs and i suspect some beads were sourced outside the Arabian peninsula as well, not speaking about the amber chips which do not comply with the use of this material in the region (if ever used)
I find the single hair ornament to be overpriced though!
Turquoise jeweled pieces from Saudi arabia, are quite known to those in the know, i don't feel they are under the radar, i think they are scarce and thus only those who have gathered enough knowledge and expertise are aware of their existence and their value.
In Morocco, dealers who were used to scoop kilograms of silver from markets of Jeddah during haj pilgrimage and bring them back to sell in morocco from as early as the 1970's could not identify this type of jewelry when i asked them...that means that even back then they were quite scarce.
BUT the center of this type of jewels is definetely not on the red coast but more to the center of the country around the capital riyad, and the oil shoc had led to a rapid dwindle of these little wonders, many were crushed to reuse the turquoise stones (especially those made from brass), obviously gold made ones were melted to be made into more massive plain gold pieces that one can see in some rare old propaganda/folklorik postcards and movies from before the oil shock of the 1970's (some also kept in local museums) but most have been snatched by the expat community who used to work in the oil industry, that is why sometimes these show up in auctions across USA (mainly) and Europe.
I saw these as well, loved both but did not bid as I was unsure of origins, etc. I think the necklace was a real bargain, regardless of the integrity of the piece. Beautiful beads, some old some new. The turquoise looks a bit new to me. What is the origin of the large silver bead?
I think the large central bead is Yemeni. I'm sure I've seen in in a necklace. I'll try to dig that up.
Here it is : central bead
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