Photos

Comments

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  Patricia Deany January 26, 2014 at 9:03pm

  These are such funny looking little adornments -- they kind of make the lady look like she has a beak. Do they serve any practical purpose/ Are they holding parts of the veil together?
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  Ethnic Embellishments January 26, 2014 at 10:29pm

  I have no idea.  I have seen these in person and the three rows that you see are very thin and almost saw-like; I cannot see how this would rest comfortably on the face, even with the indent near the bridge at the top of the nose.  There must be some kind of symbolism behind it.
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  Patricia Deany January 27, 2014 at 1:05am

  Just read a website where they described these as amulet cases.
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  Patricia Deany January 27, 2014 at 1:09am

  Marlene Ponce Gallone says of these " This jewelry is a short tube made up with thin wires of silver around it's entire length, with three discs encircling the tube. It was used to hold up the strings that are tied at the back of the head to keep in place the veil or burqa." So maybe served a practical purpose as well.
  
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  Ethnic Embellishments January 27, 2014 at 2:37am

  It still looks rather uncomfortable.  I hope that some other people can join us in this discussion.  I know an Egyptian dealer at one of the Tucson shows, so I'll ask him if he can tell us more....  Yay, one more week to Ethnic Jewel heaven!  There is a fantastic Ethiopian dealer, with tons of old, scrumptious silver pieces from all over Ethiopia.  I'll try to take more photos this year, just so busy with running a transportation business, 4 gem show shuttles, regular jewelry business online, showing for 9 days at a booth and 2 kids..... I hope that you are able to make it one year Patti, it's quite close to heaven :-)
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  Natalie Opie January 27, 2014 at 11:38am

  My goodness Hillary. You sound so busy! Best of luck at the Tucson Show. One day I hope to make it... Inshallah!!
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  Nada January 27, 2014 at 5:24pm

  I don't know why, but I really like the 'Arousa (meaning =doll). They were made from gold, silver or brass depending on how rich the owneri was. I don't know why but they always have three discs. The 'arousa has a functional purpose: it holds the veil ties (string) and keep them in place. I am not aware of amuletic purpose.
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  Nada January 27, 2014 at 5:28pm

  Sorry Patricia, I did not notice your comment and just repeated your information!
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  Preethi January 27, 2014 at 7:10pm

  Azza Fahmy, in her book, only speaks of these as having the purpose of holding up the burqu' strings. She writes that these are called arusa (doll, as Nada wrote) because of the shimmer of the gold or brass against the black of the veil.
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  Ethnic Embellishments January 27, 2014 at 8:30pm

  I find the shape intriguing.  the three flat disks look so uncomfortable.