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.

Leather backing with green velvet and silver pieces sewn onto it. The middle and end pieces are featuring an intricate design. The silver is of a very high quality.
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Comments

  • An interesting piece! The swirly, entwined pattern on the buckle looks Ethiopian...
  • Most intriguing!!

    Very early and primitive, i guess it is a male belt, isnt' it?

    I can easily see it highlighting some nomad horseman drom asia

    The buckle's pattern reminds me of eternity knots from Tibet and around....there is a definite asian feel to it....What did lead you to the turkmenistan possibility?

    Again can't praise enough your wonderful finds Peter, congrats!

  • Interesting Peter. For me, there are three unusual things about the end of this belt. First the shapes attached to the end; second the patterned plate and thirdly the studs. They all seem unusual for Turkoman decoration. The plate seems to come from further east, possibly Mongolia. The studs are very like the studs used on the straps of cheykels but the centres are much bolder and more pronounced. The end-shapes I have never seen before on Turkoman ornaments. Are you sure its Turkoman? Of course there are many different tribes and it's possible that it is characteristic of a group living in the east......

  • Peter, this looks like an Ethiopian craftmanship.  Are you sure it is a belt and not a halter? The bells and the pattern on the square are to be found on Ethiopian bracelets and amulets.  Also the bells i know from halters.

    Gr. Ingrid.

  • I see looking down that also Betty felt immediately as Ethiopian.

  • Dear All; many thanks for your comments. I am not sure whether this belt is from Turkmenistan. I mentioned Turkmenistan because of the roundish silver pieces, mounted on the belt, which are similar to what I have seen on some Turkoman pieces. Also, I am not sure whether it is a belt or a halter, or.... Your comments about Mongolia or Asia in general are interesting. Regards. Peter
  • Peter,  remember the work on your and mine sword sheath, decoration the same.  In case of the halter there is a closure( about halfway on the inside)  something like a little piece of leather with a closure) which they close the halter around the neck of the horse. Also the decoration on the bracelets I connected with your sheath. Gr. Ingrid

  • Dear Ingrid; Many thanks for your message. You are definitely right about the pattern, comparing it to the dagger sheath. Did they use velvet in Ethiopia? The original color of the velvet was dark green but the color faded over the years. There is indeed a leather strap (no closure) at each side as well as in the middle of it. The length of it is 113cm. The entire artifact is very old and did not look good when I bought it. I have carefully cleaned it and used special cream to nourish the leather, bringing it back into shape. How old are you judging this item? Do you have any photos of similar units? This is a great input Ingrid - like all the others of course as well. Thank you so much. Peter
  • Peter, I have just posted one halter.  and yes, velvet material was used in Ethiopia from old,s her.  I haven.t seen it on halters, but on shields( the inside) shields which were used when on parades. It was than glued onto the leather inside. Ladies capes were made of velvet and than embroidered with gold thread (called jewel embroidery) so velvet was used so also silk robes, like Emperor Menelik II  his tunics were of striped silk.   Most of the silver halters were sewn on leather and  than covered again with leather for protecting the necks of the horses.  Unfortunately many of these halters have been melted down for re-use od the silver.  I got mine three from the jeweller. Two I still have  and one I sold to the music museum of Houston,because of the bells.  Mine measures 125 cm and one 115 cm.

    ( which has no leather coverage.  I think that most of these halters date from around 1900 but I am always a bit shy to give jewellery an older age.  I think I covered your questions. 

    Ethiopians are and have always been very good horsemen.  Noblemen were sometimes so proud of their horses that they even let them be kept in doors.  they are basically arabian breed, but small because of not being properly fed.  There are even areas where the women are outstanding in their horsemanship. Did I leave anything out?  The silver is mostly of high content. That is why I think that they maybe older than the thalers (used for jewellery since 1880.) Gr. Ingrid.

  • Wonderful Ingrid.........i did comment on your Ethiopian anklets, bearing the same swirly patterns....

    Maybe you do also recognise those anthropomorphic little dangles? Do you think they can also be place in Ethiopia ?

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