We have a vast collection of images here which have been shared over the years ...

Click on an image to see the discussions around the piece.

Enjoy!

A small survivor

Despite suffering from dents and dings and losses, this small asyk has survived since the nineteenth century. Possibly Ersari, but more likely Saryk, given the filigree, it is bounded, divided and crossed by gallery wire, has two soldered-on silver discs and a suspension tube that looks like a badly rolled cigarette. 11.x7.5cms.
Read more…
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • 2506005749?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024This is quite a small piece. I will try to post a picture which better shows its size. It was described as a dorsal asyk given by a mother-in-law to her son's bride and, in this, way passed on down the family. But I wonder. It is much smaller than many other dorsal asyks

  • I think, the dings and dents make it all the more loveable, Thelma!

    Is it common to find engraved stones/glas in asyks? 

  • what a Beauty! I am not generally an Asyk fan, but this one Looks stunning!

  • Betty, I have (or had?) an asyk with engraved stones (or glass? resin?) on it. I believe it, too, was Ersari if I remember correctly. I have sold several asyks from my collection, so I don't remember all the details. ;)
    Anna
  • Thanks Eva. I think the two silver studs, which look like eyes (perhaps that was intended) make it look as if it's 'on guard'.

  • Yes, I agree, they look like eyes!

  • Thanks Betty and Anna. The stones are old glass, and the bead with the intaglio carving is a 'hajj' bead which you were entitled to wear if you had been on a pilgrimage. I wish I knew what it says.... Another type of 'hajj' bead has a carving of the crescent moon and stars. It looks, from the damage to the bezel, as if it is possible that the bead has replaced an earlier stone ...

  • Oh, thanks for all the information, Thelma.  The hajj bead probably reads as  Allahu Akbar…  Allah is Great!   My asyk that has the inscribed glass also shows the crescent and stars.  

  • Yes, I remember the asyk well and the stars and crescent moon stones. Joost and Truus Daalder have a guljaka in their book which also has a stone with the same pattern. It adds to the history of the piece  :)). It's interesting how these Islamic beads are embedded in these tribal artifacts.

  • Scrolling through the Ethnic Adornment website, I found more of these hajj beads in the form of a necklace. See http://www.ethnicadornment.com/product/islamic-hajj-trade-beads-nec...

This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Ethnic Jewels to add comments!

Join Ethnic Jewels

Request your copy of our newsletter.

If you would like to receive our newsletter

Click here