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Lion of Judah hairpin

Posted by Eva Baby on February 6, 2014 at 11:36am

This pin has been made with an old Ethiopian coin, on the backside is a Portrait of the late emperor Haile Selassie. Unfortunately some dangles are missing. It was in a very dirty condition when I got it, and it seems rather old. I cleaned it a lot. Length approx. 10 cm. The Little telsum besides is just for decoration.

Comments

Betty February 6, 2014 at 11:46am

A very interesting piece, Eva. How long is the pin, please? I could well imagine that women would pin such a piece into their braids. I have seen other pins too, that had a rather short needle.
ingrid Langerak February 6, 2014 at 11:46am

Eva, it definitely is meant as a hairpin, funny that they attached the pin on the face of the emperor (which is supposed to be the front. The dangles are very Wollo dangles. so you can place it as a Wollo hairpin.
Eva Baby February 6, 2014 at 11:50am

@Hi Betty, thanks a lot. I just added the length of all 10 cm, the pin alone is approx. 6,5 cm.

the pin can be well seen on the other Picture of the backside.
Eva Baby February 6, 2014 at 11:52am

@Thanks a ot Ingrid, that is a good Information! Am very pleased. Why they put the Lion in front - I have no idea! So it is a Wollo Piece, thank you!!!
Frankie Carter February 6, 2014 at 11:53am

Could it be that the lion of judah was considered more decorative and long-lasting than an emperor so it was used at the front?
Eva Baby February 6, 2014 at 11:54am

@Frankie, you make me laugh...... (of course, anything is possible, I like your thoughts!!!) In the end it is true..........
Frankie Carter February 6, 2014 at 12:01pm

Glad to make you smile, Eva. Seems I am a natural iconoclast.
ingrid Langerak February 6, 2014 at 12:03pm

Frankie,That was a thought simular which crossed my mind, that they were not so fond of the Emperor. But the lion of Judah is, I think, only connected with Emperor Haile Selassie, who claims to be a decendant of Solomon and Sheba. I do think it was not really thought through.
ingrid Langerak February 6, 2014 at 12:06pm

I am grinning!
Eva Baby February 6, 2014 at 12:09pm

I add here a backside Picture, so you see the needle right away. it is not that short, after all.