An appreciation of ethnic jewellery and adornment

African rings

Very large silver rings , one on top probably hair ring (very heavy and solid) same as bottom very heavy

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Albums: Tribal jewelry personal

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Comment by Joost Daalder on June 20, 2012 at 13:28: Hi Linda and Harald, - I think that the Ghysels collection is agreed to be the biggest in the world, and I also think you are both right to stress its importance in terms of quality, range covered, etc. Of its kind, it is almost certainly not matched anywhere, leave alone surpassed. Nevertheless, and having lived intensely with the published books for some considerable time (we have bought all of them as soon as they have come out), I must say, Linda, that I on the whole find you a more interesting and venturesome collector. Indeed, you have supplied Truus and me with at least two (probably more) pieces that are not matched in the Ghysels books yet are undoubtedly important: the Tanimbar comb - p. 170 in *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment* - and the Nepalese piece (made in 1667) shown on p. 306. Of these the first is, in a way, "textbook" and its absence in the Ghysels collection is surprising; the second, however, is not "textbook" at all but a piece of the really major and interesting status which I associate more readily with some of your pieces than those of the Ghysels, although I am aware that you yourself too see that piece as one of the most important you have ever had. If you have not, all in all, the kind of collection that the Ghysels have, then I think that is merely a matter of money, and I am myself firmly convinced that if you had had the money to do so, you would have built up a collection definitely more interesting than theirs. The Ghysels pieces are certainly very good and consistent in quality, but in a way more "textbook" and predictable, I feel. I also think it is a great pity that so little information is provided in the publications on the collection - not one of the many books actually does more, in substance, than provide captions (usually somewhat brief and perfunctory ones, too). We are of course happy to have the books as reference books, all the same, but one hopes that in the years to come much more will be done to place the pieces within their contexts, elucidate their function, symbolic meanings, etc. The collection obviously both deserves and needs work of that nature. It is a very good and important collection, without a doubt. As someone living in Australia, I would have liked to see more from this part of the world, of course - but I must admit Oceania and Australia tend to get short shrift in most of the general books on ethnic jewellery (that is where Truus's *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment* is generally recognised to be very strong). The areas which the Ghysels have really concentrated on have been very well served by their collecting - they have made a very major contribution to the field which we are all, on a site like this, interested in. I do always recommend the books to people who ask me for what they should buy, if they have a general interest in ethnic jewellery.

Comment by Harald on June 20, 2012 at 11:41: You are right about Colette, her collection is top notch. I saw part of this beautiful collection for the first time (I knew the books of course) in the museum of Speyer Germany. At the moment a part of her Indonesian gold collection is to been seen in Rotterdams "World Museum" . There is a very nice catalogue coming with this collection. It is rather cheap (€30) and very big with also the textiles that are shown. Those textiles (most from a American collection) are also top!

She started long ago (at the 60th or even 50th, I am not sure) at a lucky time when everything was still very cheep compared to now a days. And a very rich daddy helps a lot. But she has a very good eye and buys mostly top items. May be it is the largest collection that exist.

She still comes to the Brussel fairs and the Parcour. Very nice you met her.

Comment by Joost Daalder on June 19, 2012 at 7:39: I like the one at the top particularly - I also remember we have something similar, but that we haven't looked at it for a while, so it is good to be reminded of its existence! And it is always nice to see good things anyway ...

Comment by Linda Pastorino on June 18, 2012 at 22:26: Hi thanks for posting it. Are you the one making it and narrating it? Have you collected a long time? You did a good job !

I know her collection intimately but it's nice to see it set up in a museum setting. Colette had invited me to see it with her but could never make the trip due to conflict of schedule and abilities to leave and just do that sort of thing recently. I have all her books and also have known her since I was 17. I modeled my collecting and dealings from her taste but then formed it seperately since I think we basically share the love of similar esthetics and quality. I don't see her as often as I would like , but she is also a hard worker and works harder than anyone I know even now placing items, curating and buying. She has been doing it longer and also has had the buying power to buy always when she sees it, and that is something I have not matched. She continues to serve as an inspiration to me and her collection is in my opion one of true consistent nature , and runs the breadth of collecting in that field with many of the better examples if not the best examples of each type. As she is a dealer she also has let go of exceptional pieces and as dealers we are not always able to keep the best for ourselves unless multiples present themselves. It is for this reason that I admire her because she has been succesful at doing both and to a great extent as her books really serve to propelle learning collector to strive for what is in my opinion top notch and in a consisent taste.