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They do tell this is hipopotamus bone and that it comes from Ethiopia but I have no idea if this can be true.
I had forgotten where this was from exactly. Again another type of necklace that "came out" and were seen all over Brussels and Paris. I got this in Brussels and had some for sale. I didn't seem them very much in states. It might be true that they are made from that, wouldn't see why not.. Have you seen this style of necklace around much now?
They were indeed "all over" Brussels and Paris in 2008. I bought one too. After that year I never saw them again. Things that arrive just once they came together with those hippopotamus shields (but those are still every were, too many at one time?).
As Joost comments there were loads of the same type of thing all over Europe at the same time. Think about (that is the time I started noticing) silver jewelry and other stuff from Timor (war!), silver from Cambodia (war), copal beads from Guinee Bissau (swopt for plastic beads and jeans) etc.
No surprise really that when people are in times of economic distress, what do they sell but their ornaments. The most portable form of banking. I have been doing same for the past two years so should be something that is relevent to a war, famine or re location etc. It is interesting because I worked in a store for years that sold African art and alot of Etheopian items of all kinds. We never got them offered to us here or had them at all. It wasn't until I started going to Parcours and to Brussels during Olympia (which I did ) and saw the kinds of items that the vendors or pickers were selling. Items that we never got here at all. I suppose in some cases, and rightfully so, Americans are thought of as commercial and the end buyers. Obviously it is very relevent that the best things and or most unusual things come to countries that either have collectors appreciating them and or a history of having a presence in those countries. Another type of item that there were tons of one year I went to Brussels and then gone, were those ivory belt pieces from Nambia. I could have cleaned up on those. I saw the most beautiful ones by the hundreds. Those corsettes from the Dogon came here and had the opportunity to sell those, both male and female versions. Dinka rings and bracelets also were plentiful for a while , then all gone. I also remember in the mid to late 80's those beautiful Dogon iron necklaces, some having ivory. Then all those beutiful ivory cuffs from the Sudan came out , saw those in Brussels. I got one only but they were abundant. Those stacks of ivory with leather keeping them together were also quite wonderful.
Yes, at the Parcour and the Bruneaf you see all that is at that time being offered and being often something new not seen yet. (What is the meaning of: Brussels during Olympia? My English is not always sufficient). The ivory belt pieces and Dogon corsets male and female are still around but not abundant at all! You must have been in Brussels at a lucky time there being tons of ivory items. Never saw many at one time although I am evert year at the time of the Bruneaf around the place.
Hi I was doing the Olympia show for the years between 98- 2002 and would go over to Brussels during the fair to buy at the show which happened same time. I was married then and x was selling at same booth so could spot me. I then continued to go for a while to shop and this was up to about four years ago or when things started to change or buying dropped off here. There was the first time I went probably in 99 or 98 that I saw the most ivory at Bruneaf and it was in a few places particularly like Pierre Loose and Karim Grosenmeyer and Cecile Kerner were people I found the most in that category with. I could have cleaned up and had inventory for years if I had purchased all at Pierre's and Karims places. The more recent trips I had found less and less so perhaps with the drop in the markets there, the offers from the Africans also became less. I did have an occasion at the last Parcour I did to buy ivory at auction in Paris but the prices compared to Brussels were three fold. I was not able to acquire anything from that sale as the Parisians have a long history of knowing good material and these were very very rare forms. Even in the Paris flea there were dealers that had interesting material and always changing but again I have not been in four years now. Alot has happened due to colapse in the market.
We did not come to the shows before 2002. But were often in Paris and Brussels for other reasons and did visit the shops as we could. I know Loose, Grusenmeyer and Kerner for a long time, they had and have very nice items. Not much jewelry now, that's a pity. Cecile had no shop for a couple of years and I was happy to see her back at the old place this year, but hardly any jewels more African items and stuffed animals now.
The Parisian fleemarket has hardly anything interesting any more. But visiting these 2 cities always is a pleasure!
Very interesting correspondence between the two of you - I much enjoyed reading it. And Linda, I like this necklace very much.