Photos

Comments

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  Harald February 23, 2012 at 10:06am

  That looks great, lucky you!
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  Eva Baby February 23, 2012 at 10:37am

  great finds!
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  Chantal February 23, 2012 at 11:36am

  Hi Edith,

  Have you ever told Mr Mnouchi that if he had a go at ebay (might be easier for a Tunisian  -administratively speaking-?) there were some weird western collectors out there  who would die for his old silver?

  Hope he is not scraping it? the thought breaks my heart.......
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  Edith D February 23, 2012 at 12:42pm

  I think under the current regulations it may be a bit tough to simply sell things on ebay and send them out of the country.  I think a lot of French collectors come into his shop, so probably some ends up on French market.  He does melt down or re-purpose some pieces of lesser quality or that will not sell.  Local jewelry designers also come into the shop to find pieces to re-purpose in new jewelry designs.
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  Carla Alicata February 23, 2012 at 1:02pm

  Thank you Edith. Very interesting.
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  Edith D February 23, 2012 at 2:09pm

  I'd love for Mr. Mnouchi to join us, but it would need to be in French since he does not speak English.  I manage to communicate with him in broken Arabic and French.  I would be happy to pass on his details to anyone who asks.  I have purchased not only these wonderful stray bits from him, but also some larger pieces of exceptional quality.  He once even showed me a signed set of Moishe Nemni anklets! (I didn't even ask the price because I was afraid I might bankrupt myself, although I know his price would have been fair.)
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  Edith D February 23, 2012 at 2:28pm

  He was a 20th century Jewish silver smith from Djerba, widely regarded as a master craftsman.  Frankly, although I do think his work was exceptional, I think one can find many older pieces by unknown silver smiths of equal quality on the market.  But Nemni has name recognition and was one of the few remaining masters.  He has now passed, and collectors of Tunisian silver and Judaica fall all over themselves to buy one of Nemni's pieces.
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  Ethnic Embellishments February 23, 2012 at 7:32pm

  Lovely pieces!  The curved silver bead with the star looks to be Thai hill tribe silver to me based on its whiteness (999 silver) and patina and the way it was made.  Did the seller have anything to say about it?
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  Edith D February 23, 2012 at 9:15pm

  Hillary, Thai silver would surprise me, but things do have a way of traveling here from far distances.  The seller did not say anything except that it was an old piece (there is a good wear pattern on it).  The motif struck me as consistent with North African designs...is the 6-pointed star used in Thai design?  I do also have an old Tunis necklace with a hollow silver pendant of different shape, but similar exposed edge construction.
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  Ethnic Embellishments February 23, 2012 at 9:47pm

  It would not surprise me as I've seen things travel all over!  Newer Thai silver features these same motifs and Thai silver in general takes on a wonderful patina as it is pure (999) silver and looks more worn as it wears faster due to the high silver, which is softer than, say 800 grade.  I'd love to see a photo of the necklace.  If this were to test 999 silver, that would give it away as Thai.