Palestinian Iznaq

This is a massive and ornate Palestinian iznaq or chin-chain from Bethlehem. Each link on the chain is decorated with tiny knobs, and a link of twisted wire goes in between each figure-eight. In the middle there are two birds connecting the outer chains with the inner ones. Four flower-shapes adorn the inner three chains, with two red, one blue, and one green stone. The flower shapes on the inside are a pyramid, with a 16-pointed flower atop a 24-pointed flower. The 18 coins adorning the body of the necklace are all Spanish 2 Reales from the early 1700s -- the earliest date that is legible is 1717. In the center bottom, there is a floral cross shape made up of leaves unfolding on a filigree cross frame, and a flower inside a star. Again here are interesting numbers: 24 points on the bottom cross, 12 points to the star, 8 points to the outer flower petals, and 6 points to the inner petals. At the bottom is a Maria Thaler. This is a wonderful piece of cultural heritage and I am very lucky to be its custodian! Does anyone know if the leaves and flowers are supposed to represent specific plants?Dimensions:410 gramsLaid out this way, 16" long and 11" wide

There is a story to this jewel. This was in a Connecticut estate auction in October of last year. At the time I was not even sure it was an iznaq, as the pictures were awful and it was so much more ornate than any example I had seen at that time. But, I fell in love with it and participated in the live auction online. I got into a bidding war with a person who was physically present, just him and me, and in the end I lost my nerve. At the time I was OK with it, I thought I was being fiscally responsible. But I never stopped thinking about this piece and over time I developed deep regret over not bidding higher. In March of this year, the original buyer decided to sell it and by pure luck I was able to purchase it. So this is the necklace that got away, and then came back!

Comments

Lynn Ardent April 9, 2015 at 1:29am

There is a story to this jewel. This was in a Connecticut estate auction in October of last year. At the time I was not even sure it was an iznaq, as the pictures were awful and it was so much more ornate than any example I had seen at that time. But, I fell in love with it and participated in the live auction online. I got into a bidding war with a person who was physically present, just him and me, and in the end I lost my nerve. At the time I was OK with it, I thought I was being fiscally responsible. But I never stopped thinking about this piece and over time I developed deep regret over not bidding higher. In March of this year, the original buyer decided to sell it and by pure luck I was able to purchase it. So this is the necklace that got away, and then came back!
Lynn Ardent April 9, 2015 at 1:35am

I have been collecting photos of women wearing similarly ornate chin-chains. These two are not exact, but they are the closest. This necklace is probably 19th century.
Ethnic Embellishments April 9, 2015 at 3:17am

What a wonderful story Lynn. It shows that you and the piece were meant to be together!
Lynn Ardent April 9, 2015 at 3:48am

Thank you Hillary! I did feel like this was fate. :)
Mustafa J. Salem April 9, 2015 at 5:39am

Wonderful piece and the fact that you know all about it and its history makes it even more valuable as a heritage piece. Congratulations for this nice piece and thanks for posting it Lynn.
Betty April 9, 2015 at 12:12pm

A great story and a very beautiful jewel. Congrats, Lynn!

Enjoy wearing it (perhaps not as a chin-chain - though I imagine that would arouse considerable attention :-))
Lynn Ardent April 9, 2015 at 2:55pm

Thank you Mustafa and Betty! Luckily the chin chains are always wearable as necklaces, and there are some historical photos that do show women wearing them as necklaces for a change of pace. :) Though Betty, this is going to arouse some attention no matter what, because it is wonderful and huge!
Sami Yousef April 9, 2015 at 6:55pm

Congratulations Lynn. This is a really beautiful version on the Bethlehem "Iznaq ", one of the best I have seen. In local language, it is called the "7 souls Iznag" referring to the seven chains which make up this necklace. I once had a very similar one but unfortunately I was tempted to sell it! This one –with the cross in the middle- was typically worn by Christian women while ones with a floral centre piece were worn by Muslim women. I would highly advise you to hold on tight to this piece as it is a truly iconic jewel and considered the crown of all Palestinian jewelry. Br
Johanne April 9, 2015 at 7:39pm

Beautiful chain Lynn! nice story too.. There is a white flower called Star of Bethlehem (ornithogalum umbellatum) In spring you can see them on the plains of Syria and Palestine. But I don't think this is the flower on your chain, because it has 6 flowerleaves , the flower on the pendant has more. And the green leaves are different.
Lynn Ardent April 9, 2015 at 8:49pm

Thank you Johanne and Sami! Sami, I agree with you. I might never get another opportunity to have such a beautiful and elaborate iznaq, and I hope to keep this for the rest of my life. Do you have more Palestinian jewelry that you might share photos of?

of 3

This reply was deleted.

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

Join Ethnic Jewels

Photos

Palestinian Iznaq

Comments

Request your copy of our newsletter.