Photos

Comments

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  Mustafa J. Salem July 10, 2015 at 5:20pm

   Dear Bettyy: this pendant is very nice and elegant, I like the way the star and crescent were adjusted with the flowers. The main things that represent the local culture are the crescent and the star. I am not sure whether the flowers are also of old motifs the way they are presented here?   The flat , shiny and clean surface makes the piece even more attractive. With this combination of motifs and a very flat surface, I wonder whether this pendant is old or was crafted recently with the taste of old design..? I am not sure
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  Ethnic Embellishments July 10, 2015 at 5:33pm

  I would venture to say it is very old.  The piece is well executed and the bale looks worn to me.  A lovely example of a Tunisian pendant.  I find that as these are normally cast pieces, the older pieces are worn  and lovely like yours as the roughness from casting wears down over the years.
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  Betty July 10, 2015 at 5:42pm

  Thank you Mustafa. Very helpful comments, as always:)

  Since I had the advantage of holding this piece in my hands, I am inclined to say it's rather old. The bail (though I am not sure , it is the original bail has been repaired and all edges are smooth from wear. But the flat surface also strikes me as odd. The cleaning has been done by me - I polished it with a cloth; when it came to me it was quite dull.
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  Betty July 10, 2015 at 5:45pm

  I does indeed look like a cast piece, Hillary, and yes, the bail was worn through and repaired.

  From handling it, I would also rather say it's quite old, but this the first piece of its kind that I have had, so I have no comparison...

   
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  Betty July 10, 2015 at 10:19pm

  Just found a very similar piece posted by Jose:

  https://ethnicjewels.ning.com/photo/tunisian-chain-and-pendant
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  Mustafa J. Salem July 11, 2015 at 8:06am

  I am pleased  for you Betty that the piece  is old as it is very shiny and beautiful. From Jose picture that you showed it confirms that the design is also typical of Tunisian style. It is a nice addition Betty , very good to have.
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  Preethi July 11, 2015 at 10:02am

  A lovely pendant Betty, and looks nice and smooth. Pendants of the type are not uncommon, but there might well be certain patterns that are. Such pendants also form a complete circle (like mine below) and I don't know how uncommon it is to find one that is a crescent rather than a circle.

  Floral patterns are seen in many Tunisian jewellery and according to Samira Gargouri-Sethom's Le bijou traditionnel en Tunisie, they are an old pattern.

  
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  Betty July 11, 2015 at 5:21pm

  Thank you Mustafa and Preethi for your comments and for posting your beautiful piece for comparison, Preethi.

  I think I have seen a crescent-shaped type before, but just can't remember where. I am still looking for an affordable copy of Samira Gargouri-Sethom's book...