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Although the beads are neither real amber or bakelite they have good depth of lively colour.
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Comments

  • I`d be interested to know how the traditional design of the pendants here came about.

  • Frankie, these are the same beads used in Ethiopia and which I have been pestering members about.  The same which will become throught the years of wearing in the sun and the heat of the skin dark red.  Like I have shown on several of my photos.  I believe them to be of resin (just like amber but missing the years and the hardening process is done by man, this was kept secret by the families who made them from harvesting the resin of trees which grow on klifs. The silver pendants can be better left for me for the Yemeni experts  just like them. Gr. Ingrid.

  • How interesting, Ingrid!

    I remember your comments about the beads.

    The beads here seem to have some age to them and I find them really appealing.

  • I should add that I`m fairly sure that these beads are of old plastic, possibly phenolic resin. They are not copal.

  • Lovely combination of shapes, the silver beads are so graceful.

  • I have so often seen this type of traditional Yemeni silver pendant in photos. In reality they are bigger than I had supposed and more skilfully crafted. I would love to know more of their history.

    Has anyone heard more about the date of the release of Marjorie Ramsden`s book, which might throw some light on the subject?

  • Lovely combination although i think the silver pendants were part of "lebba" necklaces tightly strung one next to the other thus forming a kinf of a rigid breast adronment....i even think they were sewn on square piece of fabric!

    And if i am not mistaken they were also stitched on face veils or  head/ hair covers, but that would be a woman's own creation as she would gradually add loose and varied elements to these textiles when she could find them!

  • Thanks, Alaa.

    Yes, I have seen these strung in a single row lebba attached to a narrow cloth band. I`ve not seen them in the multiple row necklaces.2506006178?profile=original

    And here is a photo of them worn as a headdress by a Jewish woman.

    I see our resident Bawsani expert identifies them as Bawsani (Hi Veronica!).

    Some can currently be seen as a necklace @ eBay no. 301190596863.

  • Spectacular and rare picture, I think. What a lovely and gracious expression this lady has!

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