The Dutch royal crown motif has been a popular element in Balinese ornaments, and a natural use of Dutch Royal symbols during the time when Indonesia was established as a colony. Only high-ranking women were allowed to wear these decorative combs. While we of course admire the piece in any case, it has special interest… Continue Reading
The swastika in the center is the Mandarin Chinese character, wàn. It signifies celestial virtues and infinite prosperity. Buddhists from India brought it to China around 2000 years ago. Continue Reading
Although this comb is shaped like a European back comb, it features peaches, a favorite Japanese theme. On the left, the 3 small peaches are all abalone; on the right, only one peach is abalone, while the other two are part of the brass plate. The comb shows how Art Nouveau affected the Japanese, as… Continue Reading
The heart shape of this object is not by itself to do with love, as Westerners are apt to think. Indeed, Elmira Gyul has suggested to us that the shape should be thought of as representing a pregnant woman. In that sense, of course an association with “love” would be appropriate. However, others point out… Continue Reading
This pair of heavy silver bracelets are Turkoman, made in the in Kazakh style. These styles were blended because the Kazakhs lived with the Turkoman and others in Afghanistan. Linda pointed out that similar ones were made for several more decades and simply described as being from Kazakhstan. We remember seeing several in the 1980s.… Continue Reading
The anklet’s diameter is 16 cm, and it weighs more than 970 grams. Continue Reading
This dagger was carved with deep, precise, and expressive incisions. It was worn as an ornament, stuck through a woven fibre arm band on the upper arm. Examples of this quality are now extremely difficult to obtain, much sought after, and costly. We dearly love this wonderful piece. Continue Reading
Qajars were a Turkish-speaking minority with pastoral and nomadic lives based in Northern Persia. From the 18th to the beginning of the 20th Century, they created an original style of Persian arts and crafts by incorporating Indian and Chinese ideas into the traditions of Ancient Persia. Their comb designs reveal a unique skill, expertise, way… Continue Reading
This Turkish headdress, or tepelik, was attached and worn on top of a fez or similar hat-type structure. Please note the exquisite workmanship of the silver-gilt around the central turquoise bead. This piece is really Turkish, not just “Ottoman,” i.e. made anywhere in the empire over which the Turks presided. This is even so to… Continue Reading
