Photos

Comments

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  Patricia Deany January 2, 2013 at 9:36pm

  I am no Frankie, but I love this bracelet-- I have seen many so called Ottoman or Bulgarian bracelets on online but nothing comparable to this one-- the central placket with the glass is a lovely addition.
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  Marie-Ange January 2, 2013 at 10:02pm

  I agree, the stones are very special and make the bracelet very elegant!  great find Howah!
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  howah January 2, 2013 at 10:18pm

  Hi Patti and Marie-Ange, yes, I must say that this is my new favorite in my collection. The central plaque is what sets it apart from other similar chain bracelets. See this plain one for comparison.The central plaque with the use of glass stones, the colors of the stones and the gilding, reminds me somewhat of certain Caucasian jewelry pieces from Dagestan and Azerbaijan, at least vaguely. For comparison one of the Dagestani belt buckles fellow member Caucasian Jewels has posted in the past. ofcourse this is a poor comparison and I wish I owned one of the magnificent pieces he has in his collection!
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  Jose M. Pery January 2, 2013 at 10:53pm

  Very nice work, Howah.
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  Frankie Carter January 2, 2013 at 11:13pm

  This is very lovely, Howah. I would attribute it to Bulgaria, too. Although, as you know, the Ottoman style, which incorporated much of the original indigenous styles, was prevalent throughout the Balkans.

  In another thread you ask me if there is any quality antique jewellery available in bulgarian antique shops. In my experience sadly the answer is no. There are Bulgarian collectors of such and they seem to obtain it by word of mouth. There are many urban myths of small family hordes being buried at times of national threat. Hence the national past-time of metal detecting. I`ve never heard of anything of that nature being discovered although I live there for a large portion of the year. But then maybe I wouldn`t!

  Of course there is much to be seen in museums there. I`m thrilled that, by chance, my main village house is in the village where the oldest piece of gold jewellery ever excavated in the whole world was found.
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  Toya January 3, 2013 at 12:09am

  Very unusual and quite beautiful. Great find, Howah.
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  Marie-Ange January 3, 2013 at 8:28am

  Frankie, start digging your garden!!!
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  Jose M. Pery January 3, 2013 at 8:30am

  @Frankie/Howah - You are probably interested in more substantial pieces yet I have thought that you might be interested in this Ebay seller that I found by chance some weeks ago (if you do not know it already ..) selling Bulgarian antique pieces of Ottoman jewellery.

  http://www.ebay.com/sch/authentic-antiques/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=...
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  Marie-Ange January 3, 2013 at 8:42am

  Thanks a lot for sharing Jose, am sure they will love it!
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  howah January 3, 2013 at 8:49am

  Hi Jose, thank you for the tip. Actually, I already know this ebayer. There are some nice things for sale, but I push myself to be more selective with my purchases considering my limited budget. So for now the focus is on higher than average pieces.

  Btw, you have some fabulous pieces in your collection!