Southwestern Jewelry Accessory??

[Rhody28]

This is an unusual item It is a 3.5" diameter main medallion with 6 dropped shaped attachments. Stones appear to be coral. There is a single drop with a very sharp point attached to the medallion in the center. There is no evidence this item has ever been altered such as a loop for a necklace or pin for a brooch.

Clearly handmade as all features are unique. Possibly sterling silver. Drops are attached with brass wire rings. The total weight of the item is 67g. Possibly Southwestern US, likely 1920s.

 

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[Red-Coat]

Looks more "Afghan" than US Southwest to me.

 

[Molewacker]

Not SW USA I agree - haven't seen enamel work in their vintage pieces.

 

[crashbandicoot]

I don,t have a clue,but I sure do like it.I,d love to find something like that.

 

[Rhody28]

Thanks for the reply. That sends my research in a different direction for sure. What is it that makes it appear to possibly be Afghan? Or not SW US?

 

[Red-Coat]

Thanks for the reply. That sends my research in a different direction for sure. What is it that makes it appear to possibly be Afghan? Or not SW US?

The circular design with a central hole; the enamelling, the multiple ring-suspended teardrop coral pieces; the ornate bezel mounts, but otherwise relatively primitive construction; the absence of any marks. From what I've seen those are all typical of pieces made in this region and widely exported to the west for sale as 'hippie' and 'boho' jewellery... especially during the 1960s/1970s. The period when every self-respecting hippie aspired to ownership of an Afghan coat among other things.

If you do some Googling for Afghan/Kuchi/Turkmen coral pendants/brooches/earrings you'll see the kind of thing I'm referring to.

I'm not seeing any of the motifs commonly found on Southwest jewellery and - as Molewacker says - the enamelling would be rather unusual.

IMHO, of course.

 

[Rhody28]

Thank you and I certainly respect your HO! I'll keep digging and the more I look, the more I agree with you. The problem I have is the age. This was in my family well before the 60s-70s. My great grandfather traveled extensively in eastern Europe and the Middle East in the mid-late 1800's.

Well back to Google!

Thanks again.

 

[Red-Coat]

Thank you and I certainly respect your HO! I'll keep digging and the more I look, the more I agree with you. The problem I have is the age. This was in my family well before the 60s-70s. My great grandfather traveled extensively in eastern Europe and the Middle East in the mid-late 1800's.

Well back to Google!

Thanks again.

You're welcome!

It always helps if you provide provenance/provenience information at the time you seek answers to what an item might be. It could well be a lot older than the 1960s if that's when you have a family travel connection to that area. They've made jewellery like this in the central Asian region for a long time, but it became popularised in the West in modern times as a 'fad'. Lots of it was churned out to meet demand, using traditional designs and artisanal construction methods... which means it's difficult to distinguish an old piece from a modern one.

 

[pepperj]

There's a few features on this great looking piece that might lead to country of origin.
The enamelling is porous/pitted not perfect so the quality or age is a factor.
The amulet has that little single bead that has the teardrop.
The settings and colours are Moroccan design-but which sector is your time to research-Berber enamels.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

When I saw this piece, my first thought was European not American in origin.
Great information provided by Red-Coat and pepperj.

It appears to be well-made, so datewise I'm thinking it's from the early-20thc.
Dave

 

[ARC]

MAde in.... IMO...

India... Morocco... Egypt.... take your pick.

OH... and least we forget Tibet.

These all produce this "style".

 

[pepperj]

MAde in.... IMO...

India... Morocco... Egypt.... take your pick.

OH... and least we forget Tibet.



These all produce this "style".

Tibet-enamel-fold over for setting-not sure on those 2 points.

Colour also-red coral-lapis-turquoise is the most settings. The turquoise beads were halved many times, where as the red coral.
The settings around the stone is a Moroccan design, Nepalese/Tibet design has rope like design.

 

[DCMatt]

Algerian. Early 20th C.

Search 'tabzimt'.



Very nice piece although I believe the bit is missing from the center. Take that one to a jeweler or appraiser. It may be worth a few bucks.

 

[cw0909]

looking around it looks similar to a cloak fibula
with a single pin closer mechanism
The weight, size, detail and workmanship of the fibula worn
indicated the social standing of the wearer.

yours,the yellow points are the pin and hole where i think
the pin spins in to center hole, or it may be bent,see the one from the net
yours



one example without the teardrop beads
https://i.etsystatic.com/12174061/r/il/ca6dee/2106380358/il_794xN.2106380358_ahsd.jpg
https://www.etsy.com/listing/758186517/antique-berber-tabzimt-kabylie-fibula

EDIT forgot one
https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/a...cloak-pin-berber-people-algeria-19th-century/