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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It would be nice to see the necklace stretched out a bit here. The amber looks lovely here, kind of flat and irregular. The silverwork seems a little bit simpler than the usual bawsani work--seems closer to bedouin work.
I would like to see that in a photo too, Patricia. My current camera will only provide close-up and distance pictures. It`s very frustrating. I `ll try to remember to show a stretched photo as soon as I get a new camera.
Yes, I`m sure it`s not bawsani work. You are right about the amber. I like the way trouble has been gone to to make sure the colours of it are varied. Or am I being ingenuous and that`s just the way they always come?
That's a good question about the amber. To me the amber looks real because of the varied shapes and colors -- I would think that the false amber would have fewer variations. If that much amber is present in the necklace that makes it a very valuable piece. Also, I have to note that the majority of Yemeni, Jewish work I have seen does not use amber, but uses coral. That is why I move this over a bit to the Bedouin side of things.
I wish I could think the beads were actual amber. I fear they are not. They do not attract tissue even after frantic rubbing on cloth. But they make a very good fist of looking like it.
I have a particular fondness for fakes of all kinds. They`re often far more skilled than the real thing.
The necklace does somehow feel likely to be Bedouin to me.
There are a lot of different kinds of fake amber, some is relatively expensive. The important thing, I think, is to remember wearing lower forms of amber and false amber is well within the tradition of the people , not all of whom can afford real fossil amber. So it fits well into the tradition of the piece which, to me, is more important ,than the materials from which it is made.
These are not fossil amber beads, too many sellers on Ebay / Etsy sell fake amber for the real thing and charge rediculas prices to fool clients.
I agree it is not bad to wear false amber as long as it fits in the construction and tradition, many silversmiths used fake coral in their silverwork as the real thing was too expensive or not available.
I am happy you like the necklace Frankie!