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Mystery old silver bracelets !

ID needed for this set of antique silver bracelets. My first guess was clock wise : a pair from Timor island, a Shan cuff from Myanmar and a European hinged bracelet ( Bosnia or Greece). Let me know if you have any insights. Thanx
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  • Good evening, Alaa.

    There are some bracelets similar to the pair bottom left in your pic labelled as coming from the Golden Triangle in page 266 of A. Van Cutsem's "A World of Bracelets". That is somewhat strange as I would have also gone for Timor. But then, in page 297, there is a not identical but also plain bracelet as the one in the central part of your pic attributed to Timor. Weird attributions..

  • Godd evening JOSE.

    Thank you very much, indeed the pair is identical to the one on Van cutsem's book. Why not, i wasn't sure about timor other than the vaguely ressemblance in th shape!

    Actually the cuff is waaay larger that the one pictured under the Timor section and furthermore mine has got distinctive "archs" shaped appliques or metal overlay on each sides of the opening very close to what one can see on page  264 with the "shan" bracelets with one difference being that the published bracelets are covered with extra ornamentation while mine is dull plain!

    I know books do often mislabel their pictures but they still remain for a large part one of our sources to learn and improve our knowledge in this field

  • Dear Alaa, the central bracelet looks like a vintage to contemporary Golden Triangle bracelet that is made with modern sensibilities in mind but still traditional shape, techniques, and made by a traditional silversmith.  The old tribal versions (that I am aware of) of this form have wire wrapped around the body of the bracelet and engraving on the triangle elements and are very heavy (I have a smallish pair and they are still 200grams each.)  There are still silversmiths working in Thailand, Laos, and Burma who produce beautiful silverwork, some for local use and some for export, but inspired by tradition.   Here is an old example:

    e71244026a2043c5178e154e444f0c6f.jpg

  • Thanx Lyn, This is the kind of bracelets i was refering to.

    Mine is very lightweight and totally deprived of the wires and engravings.

    It has a wonderful feel and wear to it though i reckon it must not be that old....i just love how the silver came glowing in full glory after a couple of gentle brushes....it was coal black when i got it!!

  • In the Golden Triangle very, very high grade silver is sometimes used, up to 98% silver.  I tested my bracelets and they were definitely above sterling content.  The easy polish and beautiful feeling is testament to the skill and artistry of the silversmith, and the wonderful material used!  It's lovely.

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