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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Very lovely piece - most likely Turkish. I'd be interested to know how it is hallmarked.
This particular decoration is found on a wide range of enamelled silver jewellery (punches differ). It is sometimes sold as being Russian as some pieces are hallmarked 84N.U.(which is actually the name of a silver manufactory based in Istanbul.
Have a look at this:
https://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/22belt-bracelet-22-2?context=user
Of the three bracelets I posted, I believe one has the 84N.U. hallmark. 84 I associate with Russia as in 84 zlotniks. Thanks for letting us know about the Istanbul manufacturer.
Hi Richard, Russian hallmarks are a quite complex topic, but usually zolotniki punch (from the late 19th century up to the revolution there was also a woman's head with it) was complemented by other punches such as the assayer's punch, the city mark and a maker's mark. There are some good websites explaining the system.
The letters N and U do not exist in the Cyrillic alphabet (though some makers used the Latin alphabet) maker's or assayers hallmark .
Still, as so many peoples from Russia and in particular the Caucasus region have fled their homeland and settled in Turkey, it seems plausible that they brought along their silversmithing skills and styles.
It's actually topic I am very much interested in.
Do you know where in Turkey they have fled ? I am also interested in this topic as well as many of the so called Central Asian jewelry with enameling I have posed have Russian stamps and as well have a strong relationship to workmanship both Russian and Caucasian. In fact we think it was made for by Caucasians for use in Uzbekistan, however if some were also made in Turkey this would be also of interest. I know that reproductions of the same work is coming out of Turkey, which means either they are copying old models and or the jewelers who lived and worked with these methods are still doing it and living there. I have seen the most work with enameling either coming out of Baku workshops or Armenian ones. If you have any books dealing specifically with enameling from these regions let me know please. thanks