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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She also made an actual photo of jewellers in Harrar bussy with amulets like these.
Very nice Picture and good Information. It happened to me too, when I showed an Ethiopian Piece of jewellery, People said, no it is from Yemen, but the seller confirmed (and I have no reason not to believe him) that it was Ethiopian (it was a bracelet).
Thanks for sharing this information,Ingrid. Do you know if the book is still still available?
@ Eva: I remember your lovely bracelet. I, too, first thought that it was from Yemen. And sometimes it is really hard to tell, because certain designs and techniques do not care much about borders. The interesting thing about your cuff is, that its general design seems to be very ancient and can be found in a wide region from Pakistan all the way to Ethiopia and Eritrea. (If I get some time I'll post some pics). However, this doesn't mean that your particular bracelet was not made in Ethiopia.
Betty, I bought it at the Tropic Museum of Tervuren in Belgium. Mine is in the dutch language but they diid have them also in the English Language. The museum was going to be rebuild since january of this year, so I do think it to be still closed. It is a research book on order of:
Royal Museum of Middle Africa at Tervuren,
Gordon & Breach,Arts International and
Redactie, van Cultures & Communications, 1996.
The printers were:Ruksaldruk, Berlin,Germany.
The title is AEthiopia,people(volkeren) of Ethiopia, History, population,religion, Art and artisans.
@Betty; thanks for your Input. It was not only you, but various others who believed it be from Yemen, some really were convinced that my seller was wrong, etc.......... Well, never mind, it is possible that it was imported from Yemen to Ethiopia, I really do not know. and or that Ethiopian jewellers copied it s style........... I just find it interesting to follow this subject. to me it is a sign that ancient trade routes existed and like in the Sahara, items travelled over vast distances and influenced styles in other places.
once again: I just copied your info about the book, Ingrid. When I have some Piece of mind, I will search for it online and try to get it in English language. If the Museum is still closed, I can wait.
Thank you, Ingrid for the information on the book! I will see if I can find it.
Hi Ait, this surprises me, I actually know very little about Tanzania, never seen any silver work from Tanzania, even not of Kenia coming to think of it. Always just glass beads and wood work. Can I check anywhere to see some of their work? Gr. Ingrid
Hi Ingrid: as far as I know it was mostly the Swahili people of the East African coast and the Islands (notably Zanzibar) who engaged in a lively trade with India, Persia and the Arab world. There are a few pages in Africa Adorned (in the Chapter on the Horn of Africa, p.267ff) showing the beautiful gold and silver jewellery of some Swahili ladies.
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