This is an Ottoman period garment clasp from South Bulgaria / Greece. The motif of a double-headed eagle was very popular in this area, and appeared on various objects of personal adornment – buckles, clasps, pendants, and so on. The presence of the cross indicates that Christianity did not readily surrender its status under the… Continue Reading
The art of enameling was retained by Islamic and Jewish craftsmen in North Africa when they were expelled from Spain in 1492. In both Algeria and Morocco this art continued to reach great heights. Continue Reading
An almost identical example appears on p. 30 of Tibet: a Lost World (1978) , by Valrae Reynolds, which deals with the Newark Collection. Reynolds describes this as a man’s hair ornament, “tied to a silk or cotton scarf. This ornament was worn at a sharp angle over one eye”. See also a photo in… Continue Reading
Mongolians hang these ornaments, or amulets, in tents. They are meant to be viewed from more than one position, which is why the same pattern is enameled on both sides. An elevated central segment of “boxes” makes some of them over 1 centimeter thick, which creates a three-dimensional effect. Continue Reading
“This is a pair of antique silver and gilt-silver filigreed anklets from Morocco. The overall shape is that of traditional anklets from the north western part of the country but the technique of filigree applied with silver-gilt and silver parts (‘Sun’ and ‘Moon’) was characteristic of the coastal cities from Casablanca to Essaouira in the… Continue Reading
These bird-shaped earrings come from Khiva, Uzbekistan. The main part is made of very fine gilt silver with first-class filigree work, inlaid with micro-mosaic turquoises, a coral forming the eye of the bird, and a piece of “mutton-fat” jade in the body and coral tassels. Continue Reading
This belt bears a proper Armenian silver stamp and is made of high-quality silver decorated with niello and some gilding. The “cut out” areas are set off against pink foil. Continue Reading
